Once a crime has been committed, there is a limited amount of time after which the crime can be reported to the authorities and charged. In most states there is Limitation periods that limit the time someone can be charged with a crime. In many child sexual abuse cases, those who experienced the horrific crimes may not be ready to come forward until they are much older. Countless studies have shown that the Average age of a victim of child sexual abuse Is 52 years old when they reveal they were molested as a child. Unfortunately, this means that the statute of limitations will most likely have expired before the abuse is finally reported.
In children there is innumerable reasons why they don’t pass the abuse on to someone they trust. These reasons may include the abusing adult convincing the child that others will not believe them or that the child is somehow responsible for the abuse and could be punished.
Several states have begun to introduce rearview windows. Review windows are periods of time when a state’s statute of limitations is suspended so that those who have experienced child sexual abuse have an opportunity to share their experiences and seek justice. Many States have opened rearview windows. Experts believe that now one in five child sexual abuse victims will have the opportunity to file lawsuits against those who molested them and who kept the crimes secret.
Lookback windows or changes to statute of limitations give adult sexual abuse survivors more time to sue someone who molested them and any institution that hid or ignored the abuse, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Related: Sexual abuse victims have new opportunities to speak out
Why were look-back windows introduced?
Childhood sexual abuse has a terrible impact on those who experienced the abuse. The trauma can add to lifelong challenges. Rearview windows give survivors an opportunity to find justice and file a civil lawsuit.
“Charging and convicting child molesters is difficult. So the second best way to protect children is to expose the criminals who attack them. Fortunately, many lawmakers have come to this conclusion, ”Zach Hiner, director of the Priestly Abused Survivors Network (SNAP) told Ms. Magazine.
These “window” laws also prevent abuse and cover-up, “he added. “Employers and supervisors hate the thought of being deposed and dragged into court to defend their reckless and callous behavior. ”
Corresponding ChildUSA, the national think tank for ending child abuse and neglect, rearview windows help everyone, not just those who are abused. They help by educating the public about the signs of abuse, prevalence, and effects of child sexual abuse to help prevent future incidents. These windows shift the cost of abuse from those who have experienced it. Reverse windows help identify hidden child robbers and institutions that endanger children. And public identification helps protect other children from abuse. As more people become aware of child sexual abuse cases, the opportunities for perpetrators to abuse children decrease significantly.
Forty-four states, the District of Columbia, the federal government, and the U.S. Territories have removed statute of limitations on some or all incidents of child sexual abuse. Criminal statute of limitations extended, 15 states and Guam removed civil statute of limitations on some or all child sexual abuse. Finally, there were review window opportunities and age revival laws for expired civil child abuse claims in 24 states and Guam. It is important to note that some states have recently closed their rearview windows, such as New York.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual assault as a child, you can get support from advocacy groups such as: RAIN, Male survivor and 1in6. These organizations provide opportunities to find peer support, specialist therapists, and anonymous chat lines around the clock. Obtaining legal advice can also help sexual abuse survivors heal their perpetrators and seek justice against them. Child sexual abuse is appalling and continues to affect thousands of children through no fault of their own. Review windows and changes to the statute of limitations have placed the chance of healing and justice in the hands of the abused.
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