By: Laura E. Laughlin, Esq.
April marks two critically important observances: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
As a victim's rights attorney, I have seen firsthand how sexual violence and child abuse reverberate far beyond the initial harm. These cases are not defined solely by what happened in a single moment; they are shaped by what follows—how institutions respond, whether victims are believed, and whether justice systems provide pathways to healing or compound the trauma.
The Scope of the Crisis
Sexual assault and child abuse remain pervasive across all communities, cutting across socioeconomic, racial, and geographic lines. Despite increased public awareness in recent years, underreporting continues to be a defining feature of these crimes. Survivors—especially children—often remain silent due to fear, shame, manipulation, or distrust of authority figures.
In child abuse cases, the dynamics are even more complex. Perpetrators frequently occupy positions of trust: family members, educators, coaches, and clergy. This betrayal not only deepens the trauma but also creates significant barriers to disclosure.
Statute of Limitations
Over the past decade, we have seen meaningful legislative progress aimed at addressing these barriers. Many jurisdictions have expanded the time period to file civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have both changed their statutes of limitation, and I am hopeful that Pennsylvania will soon pass a look-back window to allow time-barred claims to be filed in the future.
The Importance of Civil Accountability
Criminal prosecution plays a vital role, but it is not the only avenue for justice. Civil litigation provides survivors with the opportunity to seek accountability from individuals and institutions that enabled or failed to prevent abuse. It also serves a broader public function: uncovering patterns, exposing systemic failures, and driving policy change.
Through civil cases, I have seen internal documents come to light, revealing long-standing knowledge of abuse and deliberate inaction. These cases can lead to institutional reform, improved safeguarding policies, and increased awareness—outcomes that extend far beyond any single plaintiff.
Prevention Must Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Child abuse prevention requires more than responding after harm occurs. It demands proactive measures: rigorous background checks, mandatory reporting enforcement, clear policies on boundaries and supervision, and ongoing training for those who work with children.
Equally important is education—both for adults and for children. Empowering children with age-appropriate knowledge about bodily autonomy and safe versus unsafe behavior can be a critical line of defense. At the same time, adults must be trained to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately. I am passionate about educating parents and others about abuse prevention and do so frequently on social media at @LLaughlinEsq.
Supporting Survivors Beyond the Courtroom
Legal representation is only one piece of a survivor's journey. Trauma-informed advocacy requires recognizing the emotional, psychological, and practical challenges survivors face. Access to counseling, medical care, and supportive services is essential.
As attorneys, we must approach these cases with sensitivity, patience, and respect for our clients' autonomy. Litigation should never come at the expense of a survivor's well-being. The goal is not only justice, but restoration of dignity and control with a focus on empowerment and healing.
A Collective Responsibility
Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month are reminders that this work cannot be siloed. It requires collaboration among legal professionals, policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and communities at large.
Accountability is not merely a legal concept—it is a societal obligation. When institutions fail to act, when warning signs are ignored, when survivors are dismissed, the consequences are enormous.
This April, we all have an opportunity to do our part to make our communities safer from abuse and assault.
