Child Abuse

[Milagros]

Jurisdiction

California

I'm an adult now, but I was abused as a child. Can I press charges against that person?

 

[adjusterjack]

People don't "press charges." They report crimes. Then it's up to the authorities to prosecute.

However, it's up to the victim to decide to file a civil lawsuit.

There are statutes of limitation for both.

Read this:

California Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse | LegalMatch

 

[Zigner]

You can bring your complaint to the police.

 

[zddoodah]

I'm an adult now, but I was abused as a child. Can I press charges against that person?

No, but you can report the matter to the police. They will have the discretion to investigate or not investigate. If they investigate, they will have the discretion to refer or not refer the matter to the district attorney for prosecution. If the police refer the matter to the DA, the DA will have discretion to press or not press charges.

You can also consult with an attorney about filing a civil lawsuit.

 

[flyingron]

California law is probably some of the most liberal in the nation for civil statute of limitations on childhood abuse suits. It is however either three or five years (depending on just when the abuse happened) since you as an adult discovered you were abused.

Criminally, it depends on what the charge is, but it's ten years or the victim's 40th birthday in the most extended case.