HARTFORD (CT)
News 12 Connecticut [Norwalk, CT]
April 7, 2026
By John Craven
The Time’s Up Act, passed during the “Me Too” movement, allows victims to file civil lawsuits until their 51st birthday – but that only applies to abuse that occurred after Oct. 1, 2019.
Sexual abuse survivors shared heart-wrenching stories at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
Victims are pushing for more time to sue their abusers, but the effort faces an uphill battle.
STORIES OF ABUSE
As a child, Janet Orsatti-Duffany suffered years of sexual abuse. As an adult, it took her decades to report it.
“I didn’t know what he was doing to me was wrong,” she said. “It wasn’t until I was 43 that these memories came crashing through.”
Orsatti-Duffany and other survivors want Connecticut to eliminate the statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits. They also want a three-year “lookback” window for cases that have already expired.
“I had a repressed memory, and I didn’t remember until I was age 35,” said Carmelita Rifkin, a victim from Prospect. “And at that time, I had a daughter who was 3, the same age I was when I was abused.”
CHANGES IN THE LAW
Connecticut did make it easier to sue several years ago.
The Time’s Up Act, passed during the “Me Too” movement, allows victims to file civil lawsuits until their 51st birthday – but that only applies to abuse that occurred after Oct. 1, 2019.
Cases before then must be filed by the time a victim turns 48.
Advocates said that’s a problem because some studies show the average victim does not come forward until they are 52 years old.
“And far too often, they are denied justice,” said state Rep. M.J. Shannon (D-Milford). “Not because their claims aren’t real, but because the law says it’s too late to act.”
Please see original article for additional information.
The Time’s Up Act also extended the definition of child sex abuse to include 18, 19 and 20-year-olds – and greatly expanded when criminal charges can be filed.
If an abuser is convicted of felony sexual assault, there is no statute of limitations for civil lawsuits in Connecticut.