California has seen a dramatic increase in child sexual abuse lawsuits in recent years, particularly in Los Angeles County. Much of this surge can be attributed to the California Child Victims Act (CVA), a landmark piece of legislation passed in 2019 that expanded the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims and created a two-year lookback window for previously time-barred cases. Since its implementation, thousands of survivors have come forward to seek justice against both individual perpetrators and institutions that failed to protect them.

How the California Child Victims Act Opened the Doors to Justice

The CVA has played a transformative role in allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to hold their abusers and enabling institutions accountable. Prior to its passage, many survivors were unable to file lawsuits due to restrictive statutes of limitations that required them to take legal action by age 26. This legal barrier left countless survivors without recourse, as trauma often delays disclosure for years or even decades. Recognizing these challenges, lawmakers extended legal protections and granted survivors additional time to pursue justice.

As reported by an article previously published in The Los Angeles Times, the CVA’s impact has been nothing short of dramatic. The Act’s two-year lookback window, which lasted from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, temporarily eliminated the statute of limitations for previously time-barred child sexual abuse claims and helped propel more than 6,600 plaintiffs into filing over 2,600 lawsuits against Los Angeles County alone. Institutions such as churches, schools, foster care systems, and youth organizations have been implicated in these lawsuits for failing to prevent or report known abuses.

In addition to the lookback window, other features of the Act continue to embolden survivors. As noted by The Times, the number of new sexual abuse lawsuits

One recent report highlights that Los Angeles County has been hit with a record number of lawsuits stemming from this law. Survivors have alleged abuse in public institutions, juvenile detention centers, and religious organizations, underscoring the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to persist for decades. (Read more about the surge in lawsuits here).

What This Means for Survivors Today

Although the lookback window closed on December 31, 2022, survivors still have expanded legal options thanks to the CVA. The law now allows individuals who were sexually abused as children to file lawsuits until they turn 40 or within five years of discovering the harm caused by the abuse, whichever is later.

This change continues to provide an avenue for survivors who may only now be coming to terms with their trauma or realizing the extent of the harm they suffered. It also ensures that institutions remain accountable for their past failures and that survivors have a meaningful opportunity to seek compensation for medical treatment, mental health care, and other damages.

Holding Institutions Accountable

The lawsuits filed under the California Child Victims Act have exposed patterns of cover-ups and negligence within various institutions. Survivors have named churches, schools, youth organizations, and government-run facilities in lawsuits for failing to protect them from abuse. Some of the key allegations include:

• Failure to properly screen or supervise employees and volunteers
• Ignoring or covering up reports of abuse
• Transferring known abusers instead of holding them accountable
• Creating environments that enabled predators to exploit vulnerable children

Institutions that played a role in allowing sexual abuse to occur can and should be held responsible. Unlike individual perpetrators, these entities have insurance coverage and assets that can provide meaningful compensation to survivors.

How Alvandi Law Group Can Help

At Alvandi Law Group, we are committed to standing with survivors and fighting for their rights. Our legal team understands the profound trauma that childhood sexual abuse inflicts and is dedicated to providing survivors with a safe, supportive, and confidential space to pursue justice.

We offer:

• Free & Confidential Consultations: Speak with an attorney about your case with no obligation.
• Experienced Legal Representation: Our attorneys have successfully handled complex sexual abuse lawsuits and will fight aggressively on your behalf.
• No Fees Unless We Win: We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs.
• A Proven Track Record: We hold powerful institutions accountable and work to secure maximum compensation for survivors.

Take the Next Step Toward Justice

If you or someone you love was sexually abused as a child in California, it is not too late to seek justice. The California Child Victims Act provides a path forward, even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago.

Contact Alvandi Law Group today for a FREE and confidential consultation. Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX or fill out our online form to discuss your legal options with a compassionate and experienced attorney. Your voice matters, and we are here to help.