The Status of Child Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitation Reform in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee recently approved House Bill 462, which proposes a two-year window allowing child sexual abuse survivors of any age to file civil lawsuits holding perpetrators and the institutions that enabled and emboldened them accountable even though their abuse cases were previously time-barred due to the statute of limitations.  This legislative move is part of a broader effort to reform Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations laws, which have historically prevented many survivors from seeking justice.

Why Revival Window Statute of Limitations Reform Is Crucial for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

At Shubin Law, we have long stood with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, fighting to hold perpetrators and the institutions that enabled them accountable. Our firm has been at the forefront of advocating for statute of limitations (SOL) reform, recognizing that the legal system must adapt to the realities of trauma and delayed disclosure.

Understanding Delayed Disclosure

Research indicates that the average age for survivors to report childhood sexual abuse is 52. This delay is often due to the profound psychological impact of the abuse, including shame, fear, and repression. Many survivors struggle for years to come to terms with their experiences, especially when the abuse was perpetrated by trusted authority figures.  Despite these realities, outdated SOL laws have historically prevented many survivors from seeking justice. While Pennsylvania extended the civil SOL for child sexual abuse victims in 2019, allowing lawsuits until age 55, these changes did not apply retroactively. As a result, countless survivors remain barred from pursuing civil claims due to expired statutes.

The Need for a Revival Window

A revival, or “look-back,” window would temporarily lift the SOL for civil claims, granting survivors whose cases were previously time-barred the opportunity to seek justice. Such measures acknowledge the unique challenges survivors face and the systemic failures that have silenced them.

Attorney Andrew Shubin has emphasized the urgency of this reform, stating that “institutions like the Catholic Church and other religious organizations, private and public schools, summer camps, and child athletic associations have, for far too long, used statutes of limitations as a weapon to protect themselves from accountability.” He urges legislative leaders to provide survivors with the long-overdue opportunity to hold abusers and enablers accountable.

Legislative Efforts and Challenges

In Pennsylvania, efforts to establish a revival window have faced significant obstacles. Despite widespread public support and recommendations from a 2018 grand jury report, legislative attempts have been stalled, often due to political resistance largely from the Catholic church and insurance companies.  As a result of their lobbying efforts, Pennsylvania Senate Republican leadership has consistently thwarted statute of limitations (SOL) reform efforts for childhood sexual abuse survivors by blocking legislation from even getting a vote.  Their resistance has persisted despite the moral and legal imperative of giving survivors the opportunity to demand accountability and the bipartisan support in the House and strong advocacy from survivors and legal experts.

Our Commitment to Survivors

At Shubin Law, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for survivors. We understand the complexities of trauma and the courage it takes to come forward. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, informed legal representation to help survivors navigate their options and seek the justice they deserve. If you or someone you know is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and has questions about legal options, please contact us for a confidential consultation. We are here to listen, support, and fight for your rights.