February 6, 2025 – In a landmark decision, the Maryland Supreme Court has upheld the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, a pivotal law that removes the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits. The ruling, issued on February 3, 2025, ensures that survivors can seek justice in court regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.
A Transformative Decision for Survivors
The court’s decision reinforces Maryland’s commitment to supporting victims of childhood sexual abuse by removing legal barriers that previously prevented them from coming forward. Before this law was enacted, survivors faced strict deadlines—often decades before they were emotionally or psychologically ready to confront their abusers in court. With the elimination of the statute of limitations, Maryland joins a growing number of states that prioritize victims’ rights over procedural time limits.
Advocates argue that this ruling is essential, as many survivors take years, if not decades, to fully process their trauma and feel prepared to seek legal action. The Child Victims Act now allows individuals of all ages to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators and institutions that may have enabled or covered up the abuse.
Legal Challenges and the Supreme Court’s Ruling
The law faced immediate legal challenges upon its passage in 2023, with opponents arguing that eliminating the statute of limitations could violate due process protections. However, the Maryland Supreme Court firmly rejected these claims, affirming that the state has a vested interest in holding abusers accountable and protecting the rights of survivors.
The court ruled that removing time restrictions for filing lawsuits does not infringe on constitutional rights, particularly given the overwhelming evidence that many survivors are unable to come forward within traditional legal timeframes. The justices emphasized that the law serves a compelling public interest by ensuring access to justice for those harmed in childhood.
Implications for Survivors and Institutions
With this ruling, Maryland survivors now have the legal opportunity to seek damages and accountability, not only from individuals but also from institutions such as churches, schools, youth organizations, and government agencies that may have failed to prevent or report abuse.
The decision could have significant financial and reputational consequences for institutions with histories of shielding abusers. Similar laws in other states have led to high-profile lawsuits against religious organizations, educational institutions, and other entities accused of covering up decades of abuse.
Advocates Celebrate a Long-Awaited Victory
Victims’ rights advocates and legal experts hailed the ruling as a monumental step forward in the fight against child sexual abuse. Organizations supporting survivors argue that the law sends a clear message: justice has no expiration date.
“This is a victory for every survivor who has been silenced by time and trauma,” said Sarah Reynolds, director of the Maryland Survivors Network. “For too long, abusers and the institutions that protected them have relied on legal loopholes to escape accountability. Today, Maryland has declared that those days are over.”
Looking Ahead: Will Other States Follow Suit?
Maryland’s decision could inspire other states to re-evaluate their own statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. Over the past decade, many states have passed similar laws or temporary “lookback windows” allowing survivors to file lawsuits beyond traditional limits.
With this ruling setting a precedent, legal experts anticipate more states will move toward abolishing statutes of limitations for child sex abuse cases, ensuring that survivors have the time they need to seek justice.
The Maryland Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 is a groundbreaking moment in the fight for justice. By eliminating time restrictions on lawsuits, the ruling empowers survivors, holds perpetrators accountable, and challenges institutions to confront their past failures.
For survivors, this ruling is more than just a legal victory—it is a powerful statement that justice delayed is not justice denied.