Seeking Justice After Childhood Sexual Abuse

Survivors of sexual abuse often carry the weight of their trauma for years before they are ready to speak out. Many fear they will not be believed or that too much time has passed to take action. However, Washington law provides strong legal protections for survivors, allowing them to seek justice and compensation—even decades after the abuse occurred.

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, our Tacoma sexual abuse lawyers understand the courage it takes to come forward. Know that if we take on your case, it is because we wholeheartedly believe in your story, and will eagerly put our full resources behind you to hold your abuser – and any institutions that enabled them – accountable.

Let us be your voice. For trial attorneys and advocates who will fight for you or a loved one with seasoned skill, call (253) 364-4966 today. We represent child sexual assault and abuse victims across Washington state.

No fees unless we win!

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is any sexual act between an adult (or older child) and a minor who cannot legally consent. It includes both physical contact (such as inappropriate touching) and non-physical actions (such as exposing a child to sexual content or exploitation).

Types of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse can happen in many ways, including:

• Physical contact: Molestation, rape, inappropriate touching
• Non-contact abuse: Exposing a child to sexual materials, taking explicit photos, or forcing a child to watch sexual acts
• Exploitation: Forcing or manipulating a child into sexual acts, including trafficking

Navigating the Complexities of Sexual Abuse Claims

How Long Do Sexual Abuse Claims Take?

There’s no single answer to how long a sexual abuse claim will take. Every case is unique. Some might settle relatively quickly, while others, especially those involving institutions or complex legal issues, can take several years to reach a resolution. Things that can affect the timeline include:

• How many people or places are involved
• How much evidence there is
• Whether a case settles or goes to trial

Just because a lawsuit is filed does not necessarily mean that it goes to trial. However, our law
firm prepares every case as if it is going to trial to push accountability upon institutions and perpetrators that failed to keep children safe.

What if I never told anyone about the sexual abuse?

That does not mean you do not have a claim. Just because you did not tell anyone about the sexual abuse or that there was not a “witness” to the sexual acts, does not necessarily mean that you cannot bring a claim against the perpetrator or institution that failed to keep you safe.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim in Washington State

What Is The Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse in Washington?

Washington has some of the strongest protections for survivors in the country. Under RCW 4.16.340, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file a civil lawsuit even if the sexual abuse happened years, or decades ago.

Exceptions & Extensions

There are very few time limits for filing a civil lawsuit in child sexual abuse cases. For example, many institutions including various Catholic dioceses, the Boy Scouts of America, and USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy because they faced hundreds or thousands of claims for childhood sexual abuse. Bankruptcies provide opportunities for survivors to submit claims for childhood sexual abuse, but they often have strict deadlines.

However, it’s important to take action as soon as you’re ready. Filing earlier can help secure stronger evidence and hold abusers accountable sooner.

While you may have a lot of time, it’s still a good idea to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you feel ready. Evidence can be lost, and memories can fade over time. In our experience, starting the process can be an important step in healing and moving forward.

Sexual abuse doesn’t happen in isolation—it is often enabled by systems that fail to protect children. Institutions such as schools, religious organizations, foster care agencies, and youth programs have a legal and moral obligation to prevent sexual harassment and abuse. When they fail to act or actively cover up allegations, they can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.

Accountability for Foster Care Abuse in Washington

Liability in Foster Care Abuse Cases

Children in foster care are among the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. In many cases, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or foster agencies fail to properly vet foster parents, placing children at risk of abuse.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

• Foster parents
• State agencies (like DSHS)
• Private foster care agencies
• School districts & group homes

Survivors of foster care abuse have the right to file lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries.

Accountability for Students in Public Schools in Washington

Schools and School Districts can be held liable for sexual abuse that happens to its students in multiple ways:

• Children who are sexually abused while they are a student at a public school or engaged in a youth organization that is open to the public may have a claim against a school, school district, teacher, school administrator, and/or other perpetrator.
• The institution that allowed the perpetrator to sexually abuse the child may also be subject to strict liability under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination.
• Many teachers and other school personnel are mandatory reporters, who are required to report child sexual abuse
• Private schools can also be held liable for child sexual abuse if they knew or should have known that a perpetrator was a danger to children and likely to sexually abuse them

Recognizing and Responding to Sexual Abuse

Many survivors struggle to define their experiences or recognize the impact of sexual abuse. Abuse often happens gradually, and perpetrators use grooming tactics to manipulate children into silence.

Was I Sexually Abused?

If you are unsure whether what happened to you was abuse, consider the following:

• Were you forced, tricked, or manipulated into sexual activity?
• Were you touched inappropriately in any way by an adult or someone in position of authority?
• Did an adult expose themselves or show you sexual content?
• Were you groomed by someone in a position of authority?
• Were you forced or asked to perform a sexual act upon someone or in front of someone?
• Did someone try to gain your trust to get close to you and violate your personal boundaries?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a survivor of sexual abuse. There are numerous resources in Pierce County and throughout the state of Washington offering support to survivors. And, crucially, talking to an experienced attorney specializing in child sexual abuse cases is key to understanding your rights and options.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, there are organizations that provide support and healing:

• RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline) – 800-656-HOPE
• Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center (Tacoma-Pierce County)
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-4-A-CHILD

How Can A Tacoma Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help Me?

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we are fiercely committed to fighting for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Our Tacoma attorneys, including Sydney Codd, who has dedicated a significant portion of her career to advocating for survivors and holding institutions accountable, understand the unique challenges you face. She has also represented clients in New York and California where she is also licensed, and in various bankruptcies including various dioceses in New York and California, and the Boy Scouts of America.

We provide compassionate and understanding legal representation, knowing that this is an incredibly difficult time. We will thoroughly investigate your case, leaving no stone unturned to uncover the truth and build the strongest possible case.

We have extensive experience with institutional abuse cases, including those against the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts of America, foster and group home systems, schools, and other youth-serving organizations. And if your case needs to go to trial, you can be confident that Sydney Codd and our trial attorneys have the skills to present a powerful case on your behalf.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

We understand how traumatizing this experience is, and we do not take your trust lightly. Rest assured, all communications are confidential.

Our Law Firm Can Help You:

• Hold abusers and institutions accountable
• Secure financial compensation for therapy, medical costs, and emotional distress
• Guide you through the legal process with compassion and discretion
• Provide support and resources to help you move forward

If you are ready to explore your legal options, our attorneys are here to stand by your side.