ADULTS SEXUALLY ABUSED AS CHILDREN - LEGAL ACTIONS AND ISSUES

This article first briefly discusses the problem of delayed memories a nd long-term effects of child sexual abuse and the current trend to br ing civil lawsuits or criminal prosecutions for childhood sexual abuse . The article addresses the primary obstacle to such actions-the statu te of limitations-which in most states places a time limit on when leg al actions can be commenced. It describes the purpose of the statute o f limitations and the need for changing or extending it in child sexua l abuse cases; it then summarizes and analyzes the methods used by sta te legislation and judicial decisions to change or extend the statute of limitations in both criminal and civil actions. The article examine s the pros and cons of bringing legal actions for child sexual abuse m any years later, and concludes with a discussion regarding the current debate about the accuracy and authenticity of long-term memory and th e advisability of legal reforms to extend or eliminate the statute of limitations in this area.