How Washington’s Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sex Abuse Claims Works

Child sexual abuse occurs in every state in the nation. Almost 3,200 children were the victims of “maltreatment” in Washington State in 2023. That number includes a wide range of abuse types, including sexual abuse. However, most cases go unreported for many different reasons. Historically, one of the most common was believing that too much time had passed since the abuse for the victim to step forward.

Washington State has changed the law to ensure that survivors of childhood sexual abuse occurring on or after June 6, 2024, will not face this obstacle because they will no longer be barred by time limits. Let’s walk through what the law actually says, how it affects childhood sexual abuse survivors, and what steps you should take if you’re thinking about filing a claim.

What is a “lookback window”?

Some states created temporary “lookback windows” to revive old claims. Washington did not adopt that model. Instead, the Legislature permanently removed the statute of limitations for civil childhood sexual abuse, but only for abuse that occurs on or after June 6, 2024.

If the abuse happened before June 6, 2024, older filing deadlines may still apply. Under prior law, survivors generally had three years from the act, or from discovering the harm or its cause, to file their claims. That period tolled until age 18.

Understanding these laws is important, especially when the abuse involved trusted figures like teachers, clergy, coaches, or family members. Many survivors don’t feel ready to come forward until well into adulthood.

What the law actually says

In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1618, a bill that removes the civil statute of limitations for claims of childhood sexual abuse occurring on or after June 6, 2024.

Some key takeaways:

• No statute of limitations: If the abuse occurred on or after June 6, 2024, you can file a civil lawsuit at any time.
• It does not apply retroactively: If your claim was already time-barred under prior law, this change does not reopen it.
• It goes beyond the abuser: If a school, church, sports league, or other organization didn’t protect you or covered things up, you can include them in your lawsuit (more on this below).

The law doesn’t reopen criminal prosecutions, but it does let you seek financial compensation and accountability through a civil claim.

Who can be sued?

When it comes to a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit, you’re not limited to suing the person who hurt you. In many cases, you can also sue an organization (group, business, agency, house of worship, etc.) that let the abuse happen or actively tried to hide it.

Some examples:

• Churches, synagogues, temples, and other houses of worship that reassigned clergy instead of removing them.
• Schools that ignored complaints about abusive teachers or other staff members.
• Youth organizations (think the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, RAs, kids’ athletic leagues, or summer camps) that didn’t conduct background checks or investigate misconduct.
• Foster care agencies that placed you in dangerous homes or looked the other way.

If there’s evidence that an institution knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to act, that institution could be held liable. This is important because those organizations often have insurance policies or assets that can fund a meaningful settlement.

If you already tried to sue and were denied under the old statute of limitations, HB 1618 unfortunately does not revive those claims. The law only applies to abuse occurring on or after June 6, 2024.

What compensation can you recover?

Filing a civil lawsuit for childhood sexual abuse is about healing, accountability, and in some cases, institutional reform. However, there are real financial aspects to these claims, too. You may be entitled to financial compensation for things like:

• Emotional trauma and mental health struggles
• Therapy and counseling costs (past and future)
• Lost income or diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

How much can you expect? It varies a lot depending on case specifics, the severity of the abuse, whether institutional negligence was part of the picture, and other factors. A sex abuse lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim and what a fair settlement might look like.

What are the steps to file a lawsuit in Washington?

A lawyer who focuses on sex abuse claims will understand Washington’s updated statute of limitations and can walk you through your options.

1. Contact a sex abuse lawyer

This isn’t something you should go through alone. A lawyer who focuses on sex abuse claims will understand Washington’s updated statute of limitations.

2. Review your history

Your attorney will help you piece together what happened (where, when, and who was involved). Even if your memory is fuzzy, don’t worry. These cases often rely on patterns of abuse, witness statements, or institutional records.

3. Investigate the institutions involved

A good legal team will dig into whether an organization failed to protect you. That includes requesting internal documents, tracking down other victims, and showing a history of misconduct.

4. File the lawsuit

When your case is ready, your attorney will file the complaint, thus initiating your lawsuit. The defendants then have a chance to respond, and your lawyers will handle each step from there.

5. Negotiate or go to trial

Many of these cases settle before trial, especially when there’s strong evidence, but if the other side refuses to settle fairly, your attorney can present your case in court.

Why act now?

If your abuse occurred on or after June 6, 2024, there’s no time limit to bring a claim—but it’s still a good idea to act sooner rather than later. Here’s why:

• Evidence disappears over time. Documents get lost, witnesses move away, and memories become harder to piece together.
• Institutions may go bankrupt or restructure to avoid liability.
• You deserve closure. Many survivors say that taking legal action was a crucial part of their healing journey.

You’re not alone, and you’re not powerless

Coming forward about childhood sexual abuse is one of the hardest things anyone can do, but Washington’s new law recognizes your courage and ensures that, for abuse occurring on or after June 6, 2024, you will not be blocked by deadlines if you choose to pursue justice.

Whether the abuse happened in a church, school, foster home, or anywhere else, survivors of post–June 6, 2024 abuse have the right to demand justice.

Need guidance on your options under Washington’s updated statute of limitations? The team at Smith McBroom is here to listen without judgment and fight for your voice to be heard. Reach out today for a free, confidential consultation.