University of Georgia Law Alumnus Funds New Child Sex Abuse Legal Clinic

By Meredith Hobbs
Daily Report
November 6, 2015

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/home/id=1202741858356/University-of-Georgia-Law-Alumni-Funds-New-Child-Sex-Abuse-Legal-Clinic?mcode=1202617074542&curindex=0&slreturn=20151007152312

The University of Georgia School of Law is launching the first legal clinic in the nation to assist victims of child sexual abuse, thanks to a gift from an alumnus, Atlanta plaintiffs lawyer Marlan Wilbanks.

Wilbanks declined to say how much he is donating, but he said it's a "substantial gift" that will be ongoing. He also plans to be personally involved in the clinic. "This is going to be a lifelong commitment for me," he said.

The clinic, called the Wilbanks Center for Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Survivors, will both assist adult survivors of child sexual abuse in filing civil suits and help children to gain protection from their abusers, he said.

Wilbanks is a longtime advocate for preventing child sexual abuse and helping survivors because his mother is a survivor of sexual abuse by her father. He said she was able to disclose her abuse only when she was well into adulthood, in her late 40s, which is common for many survivors.

"She has gone from being a victim to being an unbelievable advocate," Wilbanks said. "She is my hero, and I want to continue her legacy."