Child Victim's Act of Delaware
Delaware's two-year civil window closed in early July 2009. A number of individuals who were sexually abused as children have come forward and asked Delaware's court system to help them seek justice, and to keep children safe today by exposing sexual predators and private and public institutions that have enabled abuse through gross negligence.
About the Child Victim's Act
The Child Victim's Act, which was authored by State Senator Karen Peterson, eliminated the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse of children. It gives child victims of unspeakable sexual trauma the chance to speak up in a way that they were previously unable to. Prior Delaware law only gave victims of child sexual abuse two years from the date of abuse to use the courts for a civil remedy. Under the new law, victims are able to sue both the perpetrators and private and public institutions that are found grossly negligent in their responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse.
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Video: CVA anniversary panel
A panel, featuring survivors of childhood sexual abuse and experts in the fields of law enforcement, constitutional law, victims' advocacy and the counseling of childhood trauma victims, discussed Delaware's Child Victim's Act at its one-year milestone.
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Presented by NAPSAC
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