Arkansas Court of Appeals overturns extended statute of limitations law for child sexual abuse victims
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.
Recent amendment to Arkansas law extends period for child sexual abuse victims to sue; Victim calls it a sign of hope
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.
The case came before the appeals court after four people sued a man they allege abused them between 1995 and 2007 when they were from 10 to 18 years old. The opinion added the four became adults between 2003 and 2012.
Bill in Arkansas gives child sexual abuse victims more time to file civil lawsuits
The court found that despite the abuse, which the opinion called 'abhorrent,' it was forced only to consider the legal implications of extending the statute of limitations. The decision stated the court was 'powerless' to overrule existing legal precedent, striking down the vulnerable victims act.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mayes County woman killed in car crash
PRYOR, Okla. – A 91-year-old Mayes County woman died from injuries she received in a May car crash, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported on Wednesday. Bettu Giles, of Pyror, was involved in the two-vehicle crash on May 29 and was flown by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa with head, trunk, and external injuries. She died on June 2, the patrol reported. The crash happened around 9:45 on OK-20 and N 429 Rd, three miles west of Pryor. The patrol reported that Giles was driving a 2017 Lincoln Continental and failed to yield when entering OK-20. According to the patrol, she struck a 2018 Jeep Renegade, driven by Jessica Knight, 39, of Claremore. Knight was admitted to St Francis with trunk internal and arm injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Handle With Care' statewide trauma-sensitive program to support children with help of law enforcement, educators
KANSAS, Ill. (WCIA) — Law enforcement officers across Illinois are connecting with educators to support children after they may have experienced a traumatic or stressful event outside of the classroom. Doug Cochran with the Kansas Police Department serves as the law enforcement liaison to bring 'Handle With Care' to police departments and schools across the state. The goal is to support kids and provide extra support when they go to school after challenging, traumatic events. WATCH the above video for more details with Cochran and Ambrosia Branson, the project coordinator. If you're a school district or law enforcement officer interested in using Handle With Care, reach out to Cochran at 217-712-0172 or KPDdcochran22@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Just Law mentors Rochester students on justice and law system
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Twelve students were selected as the winners of the 2024-2025 JUST LAW essay contest. The Justice, Understanding, Societal, Trust, and Literacy, Attendance and Writing program (JUST LAW) teaches Rochester students from sixth to ninth grade about the US legal system. Students were asked to write a 250-word essay on the topic 'What Justice Means to Me.' Winners had the opportunity to be mentored by members of the Rochester Black Bar Association and court leaders. 'Just to hear about what experiences children have had with law enforcement, with the court systems, I have learned so much,' Monroe County Judge Fatimat Reid said. 'Even as young as 6th graders they are such deep thinkers, they have such opinions about what they believe the court system is like, how they see the future of the court system, so I really see a bright future in these young kids as to what future and true justice means to them.' Selected from over 150 essay submissions, these students also won opportunities for mentorship with court leaders and members of the Rochester Black Bar Association. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
