Texas House Bill 206
A New Hope For Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Texas
HB 206 is a civil statute of limitations (SOL) reform bill. It permanently eliminates the civil statutes of limitations (SOL) so that survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) can file a civil case no matter how long ago the abuse took place, and no matter how old the survivor is. It is retroactive, reviving previously expired SOLs.
The bill is designed to address the neuroscience behind trauma and delayed disclosure, recognizing that it can take survivors years or even decades to come forward about their abuse. The bill would hold institutions that harbored and transferred known perpetrators accountable, making it more difficult for abusers to continue to operate in positions of power.
If HB 206 passes, it will have a significant impact on survivors of sexual abuse in Texas. The bill would give survivors more time and opportunity to speak out and get the healing support they need. This would empower survivors who have been waiting for justice for years or even decades, and it would hold institutions accountable for their role in enabling abuse to continue.
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Join our Mailing ListWhat is a statute of limitation?
A statute of limitation is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In cases of sexual abuse, the statute of limitation typically starts when the abuse occurs or when the survivor turns 18, and it varies by state
Sexual abuse is a widespread issue that affects millions of people globally. Sadly, many survivors don't report their abuse due to the civil statutes of limitation. This limitation often leaves survivors with only a narrow window of time to come forward, making it difficult for them to seek justice for the harm they have suffered
Trauma can take time to process: Survivors often need time to process what happened to them, and may not be ready to come forward for months or even years after the abuse occurred. This can be especially true for survivors who were abused as children, who may not fully understand the extent of the harm that was done to them until they are much older. Survivors of sexual abuse deserve justice, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Eliminating civil statutes of limitation can have a significant impact on the number of survivors who come forward. In states that have passed similar laws, such as New York and California, there has been a significant increase in the number of civil lawsuits filed by survivors of sexual abuse. It's time for us to take action and ensure that survivors have the time and space they need.
Support and Resources for Survivors
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255).
- National Human Trafficking Hotline - 888-373-7888
Sources
- RAINN. (2021). Sexual violence statistics.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2021). Reporting rates.
- Texas Legislature. (2021). House Bill 206.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2021). Prevalence and impact of sexual violence.
- National Conference of State Legislatures. (2021). Statutes of limitations for civil actions addressing sexual abuse.