Arkansas Court of Appeals overturns extended statute of limitations law for child sexual abuse victims

by: Alex Kienlen

Posted: Feb 5, 2025 / 04:16 PM CST

Updated: Feb 5, 2025 / 04:17 PM CST

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A ruling by the Arkansas Court of Appeals overturned a 2021 law on Wednesday intended to aid child sexual abuse victims.

The court’s majority opinion stated the  Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act was not legal due to a long-standing legal precedent that prohibited extending the statute of limitations. The act intended to allow child sexual abuse victims under 55 years old to sue their abuser.

Previously, the law only allowed victims to sue for three years after the victim turned 18 as a statute of limitations. A revision to the act in 2023 removed the 55-year-old requirement and allowed all victims, regardless of age, to file for two years after the revision became law.

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