SEATTLE (WA)
The Seattle Times
September 12, 2019
This editorial originally appeared in The Seattle Times:
Despite revelations of pervasive child sexual abuse that have come to light in recent decades, the Washington Legislature has not provided victims more time to seek justice in civil court. This makes the state a national outlier and cries out for reform.
Legislators have not since 1991 modified the law that gives victims of child rape in Washington only three years of adulthood — until their 21st birthday — to sue attackers and hold accountable an irresponsible institution, such as a church or youth group. The same law allows another three-year window when a victim realizes that childhood abuse caused a harm, such as an addiction.
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