Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in California have civil legal rights that exist independently of any criminal case, including significantly extended time to come forward and strong privacy protections. This article explains how the civil process works, at whatever pace is right for you.
Your deadline is probably longer than you think
California’s filing deadlines for these cases changed in 2024. Under Code of Civil Procedure §340.1, there is no time limit for bringing a civil claim where the childhood sexual assault occurred on or after January 1, 2024. For assaults that occurred on or before December 31, 2023, the earlier deadlines still govern: generally until age 40, or within five years of discovering that psychological injury arising in adulthood was caused by the abuse, whichever is later. Because which rule applies depends on when the abuse occurred, the deadline in any specific situation should be reviewed individually.
Civil vs. criminal: two separate paths
A criminal case is brought by the state; its outcome is punishment. A civil case is the survivor’s own claim; its outcome is compensation and accountability. The two proceed independently; a civil claim does not require a criminal conviction, or even a criminal report.
Institutions can be held accountable
Many civil cases are brought not only against the abuser but against institutions (schools, religious organizations, youth programs) that knew or should have known of the risk and failed to act. Ignored warnings, inadequate supervision, and concealed complaints are the kinds of documented failures these claims are built on.
Privacy protections exist
California courts allow survivors in these cases to proceed under a pseudonym (“Jane Doe” / “John Doe”) in appropriate circumstances, and sensitive information can be protected during litigation. How and when anything becomes public is a decision made carefully, with the survivor, not around them.
What the process looks like
- A confidential conversation. No obligation, no timetable. You decide what to share.
- Evaluation. The attorney reviews what happened, who may be responsible, and what the law provides.
- Filing and litigation: only if and when you decide to proceed, with your privacy and wellbeing shaping how the case is conducted.
Consultations are free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Armenian.