CHILD SEX ABUSE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM
THE SEAN P. McILMAIL STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT CHILD USA
The Sean P. McIlmail Research Institute at CHILD USA was founded in 2018 with a generous donation from the parents of Sean McIlmail. Sean was a brave clergy sex abuse victim who passed away when the stress of prosecuting Fr. Robert Brennan triggered his struggle with opioids. Sean was the only victim in Philadelphia who could prosecute due to Pennsylvania’s exceedingly short child sex abuse SOLs. The Institute, which will help preserve Sean’s legacy, is dedicated to studying and analyzing SOLs to fight for access to justice for all child sex abuse victims. Deborah and Michael McIlmail have turned their tragedy into a mission for the greater good.
WHAT IS A STATUTE OF LIMITATION (SOL)?
Statutes of limitations (SOLs) set the deadline for pressing criminal charges or filing a civil lawsuit for child sex abuse.
Most victims miss the SOLs for obtaining justice because trauma affects them in a way that causes them to delay disclosure of their abuse until they are older. Studies show the average age child sex abuse victims disclose they were abused is 52.
Shining light on the evidence-based pattern of delayed disclosure is a crucial component in the fight for SOL reform nationwide.
CHILD USA & CHILD USAdvocacy have organized “The United Front for PA SOL Reform.”
CHILD USA LEADS THE SOL REFORM MOVEMENT
SOL reform is the key to attaining justice for survivors and preventing future abuse
CHILD USA leads the national SOL reform movement to change SOLs to prevent child sex abuse and empower victims. CHILD USA partners with our sister organization, CHILD USAdvocacy, lawmakers, advocates and victims across the United States to change SOLs to reflect the science of delayed disclosure and serve the public interest. Our goal is to eliminate civil and criminal SOLs for chid sex abuse crimes, and revive civil claims that were unfairly blocked by short SOLs.
CHILD USA OPENS WINDOWS TO JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS
A window is a law that revives previously time-barred civil claims for child sex abuse and allows survivors of all ages to file suits while the window is open.
Windows are recognized as the best way to give survivors access to justice and expose hidden predators. Already, 15 states, Washington D.C. and Guam have opened windows for child sex abuse claims and new window legislation is proposed each year.
Revival windows are now open or opening soon for survivors to file claims for past abuse in Arkansas, California, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Vermont, and Guam.
CHILD USA TRACKS AND STUDIES SOL REFORM
CHILD USA is the leading national organization tracking and studying child sex abuse statutes of limitations. We provide weekly tracking of every SOL reform bill introduced in state legislatures across the country. Our 2021 SOL Reform Tracker, accessible via the first button below, gives an overview of all pending SOL bills along with status in legislatures and reports when new laws are passed.
Our annual report, SOL Reform History 2002-2020, tracks the progress of the SOL reform movement. It provides a a national overview of the changes made to child sex abuse SOLs since 2002. States are compared to one another and graded based on how far they have advanced toward elimination of criminal and civil SOLs and revival of expired civil SOLs, for past, present and future victims and the prevention of child sex abuse. Our Discovery Rule Report provides a national overview of the discovery laws tolling the civil SOLs for child sex abuse claims, which stop the SOL from running until survivors discover their injuries or the abuse.
CHILD USA SOL REFORM RESOURCES
SURVIVOR TOOL KITS
Guide to help survivors understand their rights during the legal process of filing a civil lawsuit under a revivial window.
SOL TESTIMONY
Legal testimony provided by CHILD USA in favor of reforming the Statutes of Limitation.
SOL NEWS & DATA
Reports and Data on Statutes of Limitation reform from CHILD USA and others.
SOL RANKINGS
Graphs, Charts, and other visual aids to help in understanding Statute of Limitation Reform in the United States.
STATUTE OF LIMITATION TESTIMONY
Legal testimony provided by CHILD USA in favor of reforming the Statutes of Limitation.
SURVIVOR TOOLKITS
Guide to help survivors understand their rights during the legal process of filing a civil lawsuit under a revival window.
NEWS/ DATA ARCHIVE
Reports and Data on Statutes of Limitation reform from CHILD USA and others.
SOL RANKINGS
Graphs, Charts, and other visual aids to help in understanding Statute of Limitation Reform in the United States.
SOL REFORM IN THE NEWS
Sexual assault bill set for another hearing this week
Louisiana will give child victims more time to file lawsuits
The Associated Press | June 15, 2021
Romania Scraps Statute of Limitations for Human Trafficking
Colorado lawmakers approve effort to give past child sex assault victims a chance to sue their abusers, institutions
Sexual assault bill set for another hearing this week
Louisiana will give child victims more time to file lawsuits
The Associated Press | June 15, 2021
Romania Scraps Statute of Limitations for Human Trafficking
Colorado lawmakers approve effort to give past child sex assault victims a chance to sue their abusers, institutions
CHILD USA’S WEEKLY SOL UPDATE
October 9, 2020
Unfortunately, there are no updates regarding child sex abuse statutes of limitation to report.
On the bright side – US Congress passed the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, & Amateur Athletes Act! 
It awaits signature by the President.
The bill was introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal
and Senator Jerry Moran. If signed into law, it will help safeguard athletes from abuse, including sexual abuse.
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