Representative Jimmy Gazaway

Arkansas child sexual abuse survivors able to file civil claims at any age

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

Survivors of child sexual abuse in Arkansas have a new opportunity to seek civil justice against their abusers. State Sen. David Wallace, R-Leachville, held a press conference Tuesday morning announcing a new two-year “lookback window” that began February 1, allowing victims of any age to bring their claims forward.

This opportunity for claims comes on the heels of the first window's expiration on January 31, which was put in place under the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act introduced in 2021 by Wallace and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould.

"During the past two years, 2022 to 2024, more than 20 civil legal claims were filed on behalf of over 100 survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the state of Arkansas," Wallace said.

Arkansas child sexual abuse survivors able to file civil claims at any age

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

State Sen. David Wallace, R-Leachville, announces a new two-year window for survivors of child sex abuse to file civil claims.