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Holding Child Sex Abusers Accountable Through Civil Lawsuits in MD

Last updated on April 3, 2025

The criminal justice system is notorious for letting down survivors of childhood sexual abuse. However, many survivors of childhood sexual abuse have another option for seeking justice: A civil claim filed against the abuser or the institution that allowed the sexual abuse to occur. Maryland’s law, the Child Victims Act of 2023 (CVA), empowers survivors to bring civil cases for the financial harm caused by the abuse they experienced by removing the time limits, known as the statute of limitations, and raising the liability limits.

As of February 4, 2025, the Maryland Supreme Court upheld the CVA as constitutional significantly expanding legal options for survivors of child sex abuse.

How Does Maryland’s Lookback Window Law Work?

The Child Victims Act (CVA) creates a “lookback window” in which survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file lawsuits against individual perpetrators or the institutions that enabled the abuse, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Previously in Maryland, victims of childhood sexual abuse could file a civil claim only until they turned 38 years old. Under the CVA, there is no time limit for filing a childhood sexual abuse claim. Further, it raises the liability limits for claims against private institutions to $1,500,000 for a single plaintiff.

The Child Victims Act was passed soon after the Maryland Attorney General’s Office released a report noting that more than 600 children were sexually abused by priests associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore since 1942. Fortunately, because of the Child Victims Act, those victims, and any other childhood sexual abuse survivor, can now file civil claims. Even if the abuse happened decades ago, it is not too late to seek justice.

Our Law Firm’s Commitment to Victim Advocacy

We know how difficult it is to come forward to disclose sexual abuse. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight‘s Sexual Violence, Title IX and Victims’ Rights Practice Group, led by Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert, has extensive experience helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Our team of attorneys can explore your options and explain your rights when it comes to pursuing civil claims against the individual or the institution that caused you harm. We are trained in trauma-informed advocacy and represent clients in a compassionate and victim-centered manner. With law offices throughout the United States, we regularly take on some of the nation’s most powerful institutions, including:

  • Catholic archdioceses
  • Public school districts and private schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • The Boy Scouts of America
  • Various youth organizations
  • Hospitals and private practices
  • Government entities

Learn More About Your Rights Today

If you feel ready to hold the person or institution who harmed you responsible in a civil case, please contact us to set up a free, confidential consultation. To reach us, please send us an email.

Meet Our Maryland and Washington, DC Sexual Violence, Title IX and Victims’ Rights Attorney

Christine Dunn

Washington, DC Partner

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Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights

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