At Donaldson Law, LLC, our Denver personal injury attorneys want all Colorado residents to be aware of a new deadline, which encourages individuals and families to take action in Colorado sexual abuse cases that occurred on or after January 1, 1960.
We understand that when minors are sexually abused by those in trusted positions — including adults who worked at their schools, led youth groups, religious organizations, or other youth-focused activities — breaking their silence can be difficult.
Unfortunately, adults who sexually abuse children count on this to be true. That is why part of their abuse is designed to make minors feel as though these circumstances were their fault, either through shame, guilt, fear, or a combination of all three.
Because of new Colorado legislation, minors who were sexually abused on or after January 1, 1960, through January 1, 2022, are running out of time to hold their violators liable for their abusive behavior.
Here is what adults, parents, and minors need to know about their rights to hold sexual abusers accountable in Colorado.
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The Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act (CSAAA) Allows Sexual Abuse Survivors to Tell Their Stories
The Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act creates a statutory cause of action for a victim of sexual misconduct that occurred when the victim was a minor.
The victim may bring a civil claim against the actor who committed the sexual misconduct and against an organization that operates or manages a youth-related activity or program if:
- The organization knew or should have known of a risk of sexual misconduct against minors.
- The sexual misconduct occurred while the victim was participating in a youth program managed by the organization.
The act waives sovereign immunity for the claim so a victim may bring a claim against a public employee or public entity that operates a youth program, including an educational entity operating an educational program or a district preschool program.
How Does CSAAA Impact Colorado Sexual Misconduct Filing Deadlines?
The CSAAA impacts survivors who were impacted by sexual misconduct that occurred on or after January 1, 1960, in two ways.
- A person who was the victim of sexual misconduct that occurred between January 1, 1960, and January 1, 2022, must commence an action before January 1, 2025, or lose their right to file a claim.
- For sexual misconduct that occurs on or after January 1, 2022, there is no limitation on the time to bring a claim.
If you are a sexual abuse survivor, it is important to understand that the CSAAA can help you break your silence and empower you to hold your abuser(s) accountable for the harm they have caused.
Contact Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys in Denver, Colorado Today for Help
If you have been sexually abused by a member of an organization that operates or manages a youth-related activity or program in Colorado on or after January 1, 1960, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the liable party who caused your harm.
The CSAAA was designed to bring hope, justice, and healing to survivors, so they can thrive, and we would like to help.
Contact our skilled personal injury lawyers in Denver at Donaldson Law, LLC by calling (720) 458-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free confidential consultation to discuss your case.
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