Washington Sexual Abuse & Assault Statute of Limitations
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse or assault in Washington state, you have legal rights and options, such as reporting the abuse to the authorities, seeking help in your community, and filing a civil lawsuit for accountability and compensation.
- In Washington, most major sex crimes involving minor victims do not have a criminal filing deadline. For adults, prosecutors have 20 years to file charges for most major sex crimes.
- Survivors of child sexual abuse in Washington have unlimited time to file a lawsuit if the abuse occurred after June 6, 2024. For abuse before that date, they have until age 21 or within three years of discovering the harm the abuse caused. Adults typically have three years to file a lawsuit.
- Helping Survivors can help you understand your legal rights and options after experiencing sexual abuse or assault in Washington.
Washington state law sets different deadlines for criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits. The statutes of limitations vary based on the nature of the offense, the victim’s age at the time, and more. In recent years, Washington and other states have taken steps to significantly increase the time survivors have to file lawsuits, since many survivors don’t report abuse until long after it occurred.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in Washington state, you have legal rights, including the option to report the abuse to the authorities and potentially file a civil lawsuit. Contact Helping Survivors if you aren’t sure whether you still have time to pursue your case.
Washington Deadlines for Reporting Abuse and Taking Legal Action
As a survivor of sexual abuse or assault in Washington, you may have several legal options for reporting the abuse and seeking accountability, including reporting the abuse to law enforcement to start a criminal investigation and filing a civil lawsuit.
Civil lawsuits differ from criminal proceedings, and you may still be able to file a lawsuit even if the perpetrator is deceased or was never charged with a crime.
An experienced attorney can evaluate your circumstances and determine whether the statute of limitations for your case has expired.
Washington Criminal Sexual Assault and Abuse Cases
- Childhood Sexual Abuse: For most criminal charges over child sexual abuse, Washington’s statute of limitations is either 20 years or unlimited, depending on the grade of the offense. There is no criminal statute of limitations for rape in the first, second, or third degree if the victim is under 16. Other sex crimes with no criminal deadlines in Washington include sexual misconduct with a minor, child molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor, trafficking, and commercial sexual abuse.
- Adult Sexual Abuse: Under Washington law, prosecutors have 20 years to file criminal charges for first and second-degree rape and 10 years to file charges for third-degree rape and trafficking.
On June 11, 2026, Washington’s new criminal prohibitions on sexually explicit depictions of minors under S.B. 5105 took effect. Under the new law, a person may be charged with criminal offenses if they deal in, send, possess, or view depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including digitally altered or AI-generated content. The criminal statute of limitations for these crimes is 10 years.
Washington Civil Sexual Assault and Abuse Lawsuits
Filing a civil sexual assault or abuse lawsuit enables survivors to seek monetary damages for the suffering they endured. A major hurdle in pursuing a civil lawsuit in Washington is the civil statute of limitations, which sets the deadline for filing.
- Childhood Sexual Abuse: As of June 6, 2024, Washington has abolished its civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits. Therefore, anyone victimized on or after that date may file suit at any time. However, the law is not retroactive. Survivors of child sexual abuse that occurred before June 6, 2024, must file suit within three years of their 18th birthday or within three years of discovering a link between their mental or physical injuries—including addiction, depression, and other mental health issues—and the abuse.
- Adult Sexual Abuse: Lawsuits over adult sexual assault or abuse must be filed within three years of the date of the incident or the date the survivor discovered abuse has caused their injuries.
Meet Our Trusted Legal Partners
For over 50 years, Milberg has held powerful defendants accountable — let us fight for you.
How to File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in Washington, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the abuse. However, if you wish to file a lawsuit, it’s crucial to understand state deadlines for filing so you don’t miss your opportunity.
Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced, trauma-informed attorney today who can evaluate your case, determine the statute of limitations that applies, and explain the process of filing a sexual abuse lawsuit in Washington state.
Where Can I Report Sexual Abuse in Washington?
Survivors of sexual abuse have multiple avenues for reporting the abuse, whether it happened recently or in the past. A survivor’s options for reporting and taking legal action depend on how old they were when the abuse occurred and the circumstances of the abuse. For emergencies, call 911.
Reporting Child Sexual Abuse
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families can report the abuse to local law enforcement. Additionally, you may file a report of suspected child abuse or neglect anywhere in the state with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families by finding your local agency online or by calling 1-866-363-4276. Mandated reporters, such as teachers and healthcare professionals, must report suspected abuse.
Reporting Adult Sexual Abuse or Assault
If you feel safe to do so, you may file a police report with local law enforcement to trigger a criminal investigation. The Seek Then Speak tool from the Washington Attorney General’s Office supports adults impacted by sexual assault by sharing their options, resources, and helping them begin reporting if they choose to do so.
For sexual abuse or assault involving vulnerable adults, you can file a report with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Adult Protective Services division. The division provides an online form for Complaints involving vulnerable adults in licensed long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and more.
Support Centers for Sex Abuse in Washington
Online Support Resources
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to talk confidentially with a trained professional from RAINN.
They can put you in touch with local resources and organizations that can help in your healing journey.
If you want to speak to a lawyer about your experience, Helping Survivors can help.
Statewide Resources
In Washington, the Crime Victim Resource Directory provides information on victim services statewide and is funded by the Office of Crime Victim Advocacy. View their website to find local resources in your area. Additionally, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can reach out to their local Children’s Advocacy Center of Washington.
If the sexual abuse you endured occurred in state custody, such as in a juvenile detention center, foster home, or other state-run facility, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Family and Children’s Ombuds.
Local Children’s Support Centers
- Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center, Vancouver, WA: 564-397-6002
- Brigid Collins Family Support Center, Bellingham, WA: 360-734-4616
- Children of the River CAC, Tacoma, WA: 253-382-6060
- Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center, Longview, WA: 360-353-3933
- Connections, A Center for Healthy Families, Montesano, WA: 360-249-0005
- Crisis Support Network, Raymond, WA: 360-875-6702
- Dawson Place Children’s Advocacy Center, Everett, WA: 425-789-3000
- Family Crisis Network, Newport, WA: 509-447-2274
- Healthy Families of Clallam County, Port Angeles, WA: 360-452-3811
- Kids Hope, Moses Lake, WA: 509-764-8402
- King County Children’s Justice Center, Seattle, WA: 206-296-9000
- Kitsap SAIVS, Port Orchard, WA: 360-337-4858
- Monarch Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center, Lacey, WA: 360-923-1884
- Partners with Families & Children, Spokane, WA: 509-598-7596
- Pierce County Children’s Advocacy Center, Tacoma, WA: 253-403-1478
- Programs for Peaceful Living, Bingen, WA: 509-493-1533
- Rural Resources Victim Services & Children’s Advocacy Center, Colville, WA: 509-684-3796
- Sage Advocacy Center, Wenatchee, WA: 509-663-7446
- SARC/Kids First, Richland, WA: 509-374-5391
- Tulalip Tribes CAC, Tulalip, WA: 360-726-5437
- Yakima County CAC, Yakima, WA: 509-574-1287
Help for Sexual Abuse Survivors in Washington
Survivors of sexual abuse and assault in Washington state should know they are not alone, and there are resources and support networks for every step of the healing process.
If you are considering legal action or need help understanding your rights, reach out to Helping Survivors. We may be able ot connect you with an experienced sexual abuse attorney to evaluate your case and assist you with filing a potential lawsuit against the perpetrators and enablers of the abuse you endured.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
