Helping Survivors

Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations & Reporting

For survivors of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, the journey to justice can feel overwhelming, shadowed by pain, fear, and uncertainty about where to turn. Moreover, the legal system has complex statutes of limitations and reporting processes that add another layer of difficulty to an already difficult experience.

Helping Survivors stands ready to guide those affected through these challenges with compassion and expertise. Supporting survivors of sexual abuse and assault is at the heart of what we do.

Statutes of Limitations for Reporting and Legal Action

In Pennsylvania, recent reforms to the statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases now provide survivors with extended time frames to seek justice. These rules depend on when the abuse occurred, and pre-reform incidents face tighter deadlines, making each case a puzzle worth solving with the help of an experienced sexual abuse lawyer. Here is a breakdown of the current statutes, including distinctions between civil and criminal cases:

Criminal Cases

Childhood sexual abuse: If the victim is a minor, there’s no deadline to file criminal charges for major sex crimes like rape, sexual assault, and trafficking. Prosecutors can file charges at any time. For less severe offenses involving a minor victim, prosecutors have until the victim’s 55th birthday to bring charges.
Adult sexual assault: For those 18 or older at the time of the crime, the law gives 12 years from the incident to bring criminal charges for major offenses. However, if the victim was between the ages of 18 and 23 when the assault occurred, prosecutors have until the later of the period of limitation provided by law after the individual has reached 24 years of age or 20 years after the date of the offense.

Civil Cases

Childhood sexual abuse: Under a 2019 law, survivors abused as children now have up to their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit. However, the law is not retroactive. Thus, Survivors who had already turned 30 by 2019 are time-barred from filing lawsuits.
Adult sexual assault: Survivors who were between the ages of 18 and 23 when the assault occurred have until their 30th birthday to file a civil suit. All other adult survivors have a tight two-year deadline from the incident date to file suit.

Pennsylvania has some of the most complex statutes of limitation in the nation for sexual abuse cases. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can help you understand how the law applies to your specific circumstances.

Reporting Sex Abuse in Pennsylvania

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, you have multiple avenues for reporting the abuse, whether it happened recently or in the past. The options depend on the victim’s age and the circumstances of the abuse.

Reporting Sex Abuse in Pennsylvania For Children Under 18

In Pennsylvania, reporting sexual abuse varies based on the survivor’s age and the context of the abuse. The state offers multiple channels to report child sexual abuse, making sure survivors and witnesses have accessible, round-the-clock options:

Pennsylvania ChildLine: This 24/7 hotline is the go-to for reporting suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse. Anyone, including survivors, neighbors, or mandated reporters such as teachers and doctors, can call 1-800-932-0313 or use the ChildLine Portal online to file a report.
Pennsylvania State Police or Local Law Enforcement: If there is an urgent danger or you wish to pursue a criminal case, dial 911 or contact local police through the PA State Police Directory.
Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Child Predator Section: Focused on child exploitation, online abuse, and institutional cases, this unit takes reports at 1-800-385-1044 or through their website, tackling predators head-on.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: For abuse in institutions, group homes, or foster care, call 1-877-371-5422 or visit the DHS website to report neglect or mistreatment.

Reporting Sex Abuse for Adults in Pennsylvania

Adults in Pennsylvania facing sexual abuse have clear reporting paths, whether the abuse is fresh or lingering from the past:

Local Law Enforcement: If abuse is currently happening or has occurred recently, call 911 for emergencies or contact your local police with non-urgent reports.
Pennsylvania State Police: When cases span jurisdictions or local police stall, contact the State Police at 717-783-5599.
Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office: For institutional abuse or cases tied to government officials, call the Special Investigations Unit at 717-787-3391.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – Adult Protective Services: Vulnerable adults or those with disabilities can report to the Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-490-8505.

Where to Report Institutional Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a dedicated unit to handle abuse involving schools, churches, or juvenile detention centers. You can report abuse to the Pennsylvania Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit by calling 1-877-371-5422 or through the IAIU website’s online form. This unit handles complaints of systemic abuse.

Help Centers/Support Centers for Sex Abuse Across Pennsylvania

Statewide Resources

For survivors of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, statewide resources provide a lifeline of support, accessible no matter where they are in the Commonwealth. These organizations offer important services spanning from immediate crisis intervention to long-term healing resources, giving survivors a network to lean on.

Help is just a phone call or click away:

Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR): Once the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, PCAR links survivors to crisis centers across all 67 counties, offering counseling, advocacy, and education. Call their 24/7 hotline at 1-888-772-7227.
Office of Victim Advocate (OVA): This group aids crime victims, including those abused sexually, with support and resources at 1-800-563-6399.

Local Support Centers

Across Pennsylvania’s cities and towns, local support centers stand ready to offer personalized help tailored to the unique needs of survivors in their communities. The following organizations provide a safe space for counseling, legal guidance, and emotional recovery, making a tangible difference close to home.

Philadelphia – Women Organized Against Rape, or WOAR: At 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd, Suite 1100, call 215-985-3333 or visit woar.org for help.
Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, or PAAR: Reach them at 81 South 19th Street, 866-363-7273, or paar.net.
Allentown – Crime Victims Council of Lehigh Valley Inc.: Located at 2132 South 12th Street, Suite 101, call 610-437-6611 or visit cvclv.org.
Erie – Crime Victim Center of Erie County Inc.: Located at 125 West 18th Street, call 800-352-7273, or visit cvcerie.org.
Reading – Safe Berks: Available at 255 Chestnut Street, (844) 789-7233, or visit safeberks.org.
Scranton – Women’s Resource Center: Located at 620 Madison Avenue, call 570-346-4671, or visit wrcnepa.org.
Bethlehem – Turning Point of Lehigh Valley: Located at 444 E Susquehanna Street, Allentown, call 610-437-3369 or visit turningpointlv.org.
Lancaster – YWCA Lancaster: Located at 110 North Lime Street, call 717-393-1735, or visit ywcalancaster.org.
Harrisburg – YWCA Greater Harrisburg: Located at 1101 Market Street, call 717-234-7931 or visit ywcahbg.org.
York – YWCA York: Find them at 320 E Market Street, 717-845-2631, or ywcayork.org.

Online Support Resources

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN, offers a vital lifeline for survivors of sexual abuse, available around the clock to provide immediate support. Call the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit its website for a confidential chat. Trained advocates are ready to listen to you and provide assistance.

Reach Out for Help After Sexual Abuse

Survivors of sexual abuse and assault are not alone. Many resources and support systems are available for every step of this difficult journey.

Whether you choose to report the assault or not, reaching out to support centers can provide you with the care, guidance, and advocacy you deserve. Healing is possible, and there is no “right” way to go about it—every survivor’s path is unique.

If you are considering legal action or need assistance understanding your rights, Helping Survivors is here to help. We can connect you with compassionate lawyers dedicated to supporting survivors as they seek justice and reclaim their lives. Contact Helping Survivors today to learn more about how we can assist you. You are not alone, and healing is within reach.