Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

What are the statue of limitations on child molestation in California?

My friend Just found out by her younger sisters boyfriend that years ago when her younger sister was 8 years old and had been touched by my friends boyfriend back then, she is now 24 years old. The young sister has had psychological problems where she hurts herself by scratching, cutting in places where family can't see. She also hurts her head against the wall and she doesn't want to weigh more than 105 lbs or she thinks she looks ugly. The young sisters current boyfriend is the one that just let my friend( older sister) know about all this and wants her to get help because when they have a dissagreement she right away finds ways to hurt herself... He has had to take knives away from her so she wouldn't cut herself. She has done this to herself since she was 15 years old. Also she has been seeing a psychologyst on her own. This man is now married and has a daughter, so we are afraid he has also done the same to his daughter. Can he still be punished?


Asked on 9/01/09, 2:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

In a civil action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse, the time for commencement of the action shall be within eight years of the date the plaintiff attains the age of majority or within three years of the date the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered that psychological injury or illness occurring after the age of majority was caused by the sexual abuse, whichever period expires later.

If serious about pursuing this, don't wait, she is less than two years from time bar. Feel free to contact me for the help she needs. She can also try to file criminal charges, see the police immediately.

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Answered on 9/01/09, 9:10 pm


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