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Article: Remedies for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Article: Connecticut version of Remedies article

Legal Resources for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Susan K. Smith
David M. Moore

Attorneys at Law

Mediation, Collaboration
Victims' Remedies
Injury Cases

Smith & Moore, LLC
www.SmithMooreLLC.com
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Atty. Moore: (860) 674-0122

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The Fine Print: This web site provides general information only and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. Laws change  and differ from State to State. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. You should consult an attorney about your particular situation.

COPYRIGHT © 1998-09 Susan K. Smith All Rights Reserved.

Civil Statute of Limitations
for Child Sexual Abuse

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Kansas

Summary | Text | Commentary | Resources

Summary: Under Kansas law,

a victim has 3 years from the age of majority (18); or

three (3) years from the date the victim realizes that they have suffered an injury or illness caused by sexual abuse.

The statute is expressly retroactive.

Text of the Statute:

§60-523. Limitations on actions for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse. (a) No action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse shall be commenced more than three years after the date the person attains 18 years of age or more than three years from the date the person discovers or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or illness was caused by childhood sexual abuse, whichever occurs later.

      (b)   As used in this section:

      (1) "Injury or illness" includes psychological injury or illness, whether or not accompanied by physical injury or illness.

      (2) "Childhood sexual abuse" includes any act committed against the person which act occurred when the person was under the age of 18 years and which act would have been a violation of any of the following:

      (A) Indecent liberties with a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3503 and amendments thereto; (B) aggravated indecent liberties with a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3504 and amendments thereto; (C) aggravated criminal sodomy as defined in K.S.A. 21-3506 and amendments thereto; (D) enticement of a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3509 and amendments thereto; (E) indecent solicitation of a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3510 and amendments thereto; (F) aggravated indecent solicitation of a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3511 and amendments thereto; (G) sexual exploitation of a child as defined in K.S.A. 21-3516 and amendments thereto; or (H) aggravated incest as defined in K.S.A. 21-3603 and amendments thereto; or any prior laws of this state of similar effect at the time the act was committed.

(c)  Discovery that the injury or illness was caused by childhood sexual abuse shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the person's awareness, knowledge or memory of the acts of abuse. The person need not establish which act in a series of continuing sexual abuse incidents caused the injury or illness complained of, but may compute the date of discovery from the date of discovery of the last act by the same perpetrator which is a part of a common scheme or plan of sexual abuse.

(d) This section shall be applicable to: (1)   Any action commenced on or after July 1, 1992, including any action which would be barred by application of the period of limitation applicable prior to July 1, 1992; (2)   any action commenced prior to July 1, 1992, and pending on July 1, 1992.

Commentary:

In Shirley v. Reif, 260 K. 514, 516, 920 P.2d 405 (1996), the Court upheld the sexual abuse statute of limitations against a due process challenge brought by the Church. The case is also significant for its discussion what constitutes "discovery", and its discussion of the interaction between the special sexual abuse statute of limitations and Iowa's 8-year statute of repose (KSA 60-515(a)) applicable to disability claims, which is not trumped by the special statute of limitations.

Resources:

Kansas Statutes

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

Revised 07/04/2009. Copyright Susan K. Smith

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