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You Are Not Alone

Survivor Resource Hub

Free, confidential resources for sexual assault survivors. Crisis support, your legal rights by state, evidence guidance, and answers to the questions you may be afraid to ask — all in one place.

This page is designed for survivors and their loved ones. We recognize the courage it takes to seek information. Everything here is free, ungated, and available with zero obligation. Your safety and well-being come first.

Immediate Help

Crisis Hotlines & Support

These organizations provide free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to be in immediate danger to call.

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

24/7 confidential support from trained staff. Also operates the online chat at online.rainn.org.

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Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. Trained crisis counselors available around the clock.

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National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

24/7 confidential support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Available in 200+ languages.

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National Center for Victims of Crime

1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)

Referrals to local victim service providers, assistance navigating the criminal justice system.

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Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-422-4453

24/7 crisis counseling for children and adults concerned about a child. Professional crisis counselors.

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Know Your Deadlines

State-by-State: Statutes of Limitations & Revival Windows

Filing deadlines vary dramatically by state. Some states have enacted revival or lookback window statutes allowing survivors to file claims for abuse that occurred years or even decades ago.

Alabama (AL)
Civil SOL2 years (Ala. Code §6-2-38)
Childhood SA SOL2 years from discovery or age 19
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Discovery rule may extend deadline in some cases.

Arkansas (AR)
Civil SOL3 years (Ark. Code §16-56-105)
Childhood SA SOL3 years from age 18 or discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Discovery rule applies for childhood abuse.

California (CA)
Civil SOL2 years (CCP §335.1); childhood SA: age 40 or 5 yrs from discovery (AB 218)
Childhood SA SOLAge 40 or 5 years from discovery of injury
Revival WindowAB 218 (2020): 3-year revival window opened Jan 2020 – Dec 2022; AB 452 extending lookback

One of the most expansive revival statutes in the nation. Treble damages available against institutional cover-ups.

Colorado (CO)
Civil SOL2 years (C.R.S. §13-80-102)
Childhood SA SOL6 years from age 18 (C.R.S. §13-80-103.7)
Revival WindowSB 21-073 (2021): Eliminated SOL for childhood sexual abuse claims

Colorado eliminated the statute of limitations entirely for childhood sexual abuse civil claims.

Florida (FL)
Civil SOL4 years (Fla. Stat. §95.11(3))
Childhood SA SOL7 years from age 18 (age 25) or 4 years from discovery
Revival Window2023 legislative reforms extended childhood SA SOL; consult an attorney for current revival window status

Recent 2023 legislation significantly expanded survivor rights. Consult an attorney for current filing deadlines.

Georgia (GA)
Civil SOL2 years (O.C.G.A. §9-3-33)
Childhood SA SOLAge 23 or 2 years from discovery (Hidden Predator Act, SB 68)
Revival WindowHidden Predator Act (2015): 2-year revival window for previously barred claims

Revival window has since closed, but extended SOL provisions remain.

Hawaii (HI)
Civil SOL2 years (HRS §657-7)
Childhood SA SOLAge 26 or 3 years from discovery (HRS §657-1.8)
Revival WindowHB 535 (2018): 2-year lookback window (2018–2020)

Lookback window for childhood sexual abuse claims has closed.

Iowa (IA)
Civil SOL2 years (Iowa Code §614.1)
Childhood SA SOLAge 22 or 1 year from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Discovery rule may apply for repressed memory cases.

Illinois (IL)
Civil SOL2 years (735 ILCS 5/13-202)
Childhood SA SOLAge 38 or discovery (Child Sexual Abuse Act extension)
Revival WindowSB 2710 (2024): Revival window and extended SOL for childhood victims

Illinois has been progressively expanding survivor rights through legislative reform.

Louisiana (LA)
Civil SOL1 year (La. C.C. Art. 3492) — shortest in nation
Childhood SA SOL3 years from discovery or age 21 (whichever is later)
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Louisiana's 1-year general prescriptive period makes prompt action critical.

Michigan (MI)
Civil SOL3 years (MCL §600.5805)
Childhood SA SOLAge 28 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL for childhood sexual abuse claims.

Minnesota (MN)
Civil SOL6 years (Minn. Stat. §541.05)
Childhood SA SOLAge 24 or 6 years from discovery (MN Child Victims Act)
Revival WindowMN Child Victims Act (2013): Revival window for previously barred claims

One of the more generous SOL extensions for childhood victims.

Missouri (MO)
Civil SOL5 years (Mo. Rev. Stat. §516.120)
Childhood SA SOLAge 31 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL specifically for childhood sexual abuse.

Mississippi (MS)
Civil SOL3 years (Miss. Code §15-1-49)
Childhood SA SOLAge 21 or 2 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Standard discovery rule applies.

Montana (MT)
Civil SOL3 years (MCA §27-2-204)
Childhood SA SOLAge 27 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL for childhood sexual abuse claims.

North Carolina (NC)
Civil SOL3 years (N.C.G.S. §1-52)
Childhood SA SOLAge 28 or 2 years from discovery (SAFE Child Act)
Revival WindowSAFE Child Act (2019): Revival window for previously barred childhood SA claims

SAFE Child Act significantly expanded survivor access to civil justice.

New Mexico (NM)
Civil SOL3 years (NMSA §37-1-8)
Childhood SA SOLAge 24 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Standard discovery rule for childhood abuse claims.

New York (NY)
Civil SOL1 year (CPLR §215); childhood: age 55 (2019 CVA amendment)
Childhood SA SOLAge 55 (as amended 2019, one of the longest in the U.S.)
Revival WindowChild Victims Act (2019): 1-year lookback window (Aug 2019 – Aug 2021); Adult Survivors Act (2022): 1-year window for adult SA claims (Nov 2022 – Nov 2023)

New York enacted two landmark revival windows — one for childhood abuse and one for adult survivors.

Ohio (OH)
Civil SOL2 years (ORC §2305.10)
Childhood SA SOLAge 30 or 12 years from the act (HB 7)
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended childhood sexual abuse SOL enacted in 2006.

Oklahoma (OK)
Civil SOL2 years (12 O.S. §95(A)(3))
Childhood SA SOLAge 20 or 2 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Standard discovery rule.

Oregon (OR)
Civil SOL2 years (ORS §12.110)
Childhood SA SOLAge 40 or 5 years from discovery
Revival WindowSB 1551 (2010): Eliminated SOL for childhood sexual abuse in some cases

Oregon has eliminated the SOL for certain childhood sexual abuse claims.

South Carolina (SC)
Civil SOL3 years (S.C. Code §15-3-530)
Childhood SA SOLAge 21 or 6 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL for childhood sexual abuse.

Tennessee (TN)
Civil SOL1 year (Tenn. Code §28-3-104)
Childhood SA SOLAge 21 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Tennessee's 1-year general SOL makes prompt action critical.

Texas (TX)
Civil SOL2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003)
Childhood SA SOLAge 33 (15 years from age 18) or 5 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended childhood SOL enacted in 2007.

Utah (UT)
Civil SOL4 years (Utah Code §78B-2-307)
Childhood SA SOLAge 22 or 4 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Standard discovery rule for childhood abuse claims.

Washington (WA)
Civil SOL3 years (RCW 4.16.080)
Childhood SA SOLAge 21 or 3 years from discovery
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL for childhood sexual abuse with discovery rule.

Wisconsin (WI)
Civil SOL3 years (Wis. Stat. §893.54)
Childhood SA SOLAge 35 or discovery (Act 10, 2004 amendments)
Revival Window2004 amendments effectively eliminated SOL for childhood SA claims via broad discovery rule

Wisconsin's broad discovery rule effectively creates open-ended filing for childhood victims.

West Virginia (WV)
Civil SOL2 years (W. Va. Code §55-2-12)
Childhood SA SOL4 years from discovery or age 20 (whichever is later)
Revival WindowNo general revival window enacted as of 2024

Extended SOL for childhood sexual abuse claims.

Important Disclaimer: This table provides general information about statutes of limitations and revival windows as of the most recent legislative sessions. Laws change frequently, and individual circumstances (discovery rule, tolling provisions, defendant identity) can significantly affect applicable deadlines. This is not legal advice. Contact Bond Legal for a free, confidential evaluation of your specific situation.

Protect Your Case

Evidence Preservation Checklist

If you choose to pursue legal action — now or in the future — preserving evidence can significantly strengthen your case. This checklist is a guide, not a requirement. Do only what you feel safe and able to do.

Immediate Safety & Medical Care

  • Seek medical attention as soon as safely possible — hospital emergency departments can conduct forensic exams (SAFE/SANE exam) at no cost under VAWA
  • Request a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (rape kit) — you do NOT have to file a police report to have one conducted
  • Ask the hospital to document all injuries with photographs and written descriptions
  • Request copies of all medical records and discharge paperwork

Preserving Physical Evidence

  • Do not shower, bathe, brush teeth, or change clothes before a forensic exam if possible
  • If you have changed clothes, place the clothing worn during the assault in a paper (not plastic) bag
  • Preserve bedding, towels, or other items that may contain biological evidence
  • Do not clean or alter the location where the assault occurred if possible

Documenting Digital Evidence

  • Screenshot and save all text messages, social media messages, emails, or other digital communications with the perpetrator
  • Save voicemails — do not delete any communications
  • Document the perpetrator's social media profiles (screenshots with timestamps)
  • If there are security cameras or surveillance footage at the location, notify law enforcement or your attorney promptly — footage is often overwritten within days

Personal Documentation

  • Write down everything you remember as soon as you are able — include dates, times, locations, and any witnesses
  • Keep a personal journal documenting physical and emotional symptoms in the days and weeks following
  • Note the names and contact information of anyone you told about the assault — friends, family, counselors
  • Track all expenses related to the assault: medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, transportation

Reporting & Legal Steps

  • Filing a police report is your choice — it is NOT required to pursue a civil claim
  • If you choose to report, request a copy of the police report number for your records
  • Contact a sexual assault attorney for a free, confidential consultation about your civil legal options
  • Be aware of statute of limitations deadlines in your state (see our state-by-state guide above)

Remember: Your safety is more important than any piece of evidence. These steps are helpful but not required. An experienced attorney can build a strong case even without perfect evidence preservation.

Your Questions Answered

Trauma-Informed Legal FAQ

We understand these questions can feel overwhelming. Every answer below is written with compassion and factual accuracy.

You Deserve to Be Heard

Whether you're ready to take legal action or just need someone to listen, Bond Legal is here. Every conversation is free, confidential, and completely on your terms.

Pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultation available 24/7.