EP 997 Justice in Child Sexual Abuse Cases Hindered by Statutes of Limitation

There may well be strong arguments for statutes of limitations, basically a deadline to file civil or criminal suits, in various areas of the law because evidence can be lost, memories fade, and witnesses may no longer be available. In the case of child sexual abuse, however, memories of what happened may be awakened many years, decades even, later when there is a triggering event or the adult self finally wants to come to terms with the trauma that has affected them throughout their lives.  Yet, these statutes of limitations still exist in many states, and the federal statutes are very weak in this area.  Clearly, the problems in the Catholic Church and the new attention drawn to the issue from the #MeToo movement and the Jeffery Epstein case are providing greater impetus to allowing victims to come forward when it’s right for them, in their circumstance, and not on an arbitrary timeline.  To discuss this issue with us is Attorney Kelly Reardon of New London, Connecticut who has a remarkable background and much experience in this area of the law.

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