Recent amendment to Arkansas law extends period for child sexual abuse victims to sue; Victim calls it a sign of hope

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Victims of child sexual abuse in Arkansas now have more time to come forward and seek justice through civil lawsuits under a newly-amended state law.

State legislators first passed the Justice for Vulnerable Victims Act in 2021, then passed an amendment to it in 2023.The law extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims to file civil suits. The original policy passed in 2021 gave victims until the age of 55 to file the lawsuits, though lawmakers revised that in the last legislative session, hoping to give everyone a chance to come forward over the next two years. The amendment passed last session provides a two-year retroactive period for victims of any age to take civil action.

Read more of Samantha Boyd's reporting for KARK 4 News.