Part 3 of 4: A New Federal Law May Expand Abuse Victims’ Rights to Pursue Damages

Editor’s Note: Child abuse scandals continue to garner widespread media attention as well as the attention of lawmakers nationwide. As more victims come forward, often years or decades after suffering alleged abuses, they learn their state’s statute of limitations prevent them from seeking damages from the perpetrator or, when relevant, the perpetrator’s employer through civil lawsuits. These time bars have become subject to changes—and in some instances, outright removals—by state legislatures in an effort to help victims.

This four-part series focuses on this continuing trend, helping churches and church leaders understand the potential ramifications. This part looks specifically at changes made by Congress as a way to offer victims a path to seek legal remedies if their states’ statutes of limitations have not been extended.

In 2022, Congress enacted the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act. This Act provides that “there shall be no time limit” for filing civil lawsuits for any of the following federal sex offenses:

It remains to be seen how effective this legislation will be since most sex abuse claims are brought in state court. However, it likely will benefit victims of child sexual abuse whose claims are barred by state statutes of limitation.