Priest Abuse in Arkansas: Justice for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

Credible accusations of priest abuse have been reported in every U.S. state. Unfortunately, Arkansas is no exception.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock has faced multiple allegations of clergy abuse. Many of the diocese’s priests have been accused of child sexual abuse.

In 2021, Arkansas lawmakers passed a new law expanding rights for childhood sexual abuse survivors. It follows a wave of similar laws passed in other states.

The Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act (known as Act 1036) extends the legal deadline for victims of child sex abuse to file civil lawsuits. Abuse survivors can now file a civil lawsuit until age 55. The previous law only allowed survivors to pursue a claim until age 21.

The new law also opened a two-year “lookback” window to revive civil claims that were previously barred in Arkansas because of time restrictions.

The “lookback” window opened on February 1, 2022. It will close on January 31, 2024.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of priest abuse in Arkansas, time is limited to pursue a claim under the lookback window.

Don’t wait. Our experienced attorneys can help you seek justice for the harm you’ve suffered. Call our law firm at 1-800-748-7115 to find out if you have a claim. 

Child Sex Abuse Statutes of Limitations in Arkansas

A statute of limitations (SOL) is a legal deadline that limits the amount of time someone can pursue a civil or criminal claim.

SOLs vary based on several factors, including the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction in which the alleged offense took place. For example, a statute of limitations might prevent someone from legally pursuing a criminal claim more than 10 years after an alleged crime happened.

Criminal statutes for sexual offenses against a minor

In Arkansas, there is no statute of limitations for most felony sexual offenses against a minor.

Some sexual offenses and misdemeanors have a criminal statute of age 28. This means an abuse survivor has no legal standing to pursue a criminal case beyond age 28.

For more information about Arkansas’ criminal statutes of child sexual abuse, visit https://childusa.org/law/arkansas/sex-abuse-sol/.  

Civil statutes for sexual offenses against a minor

Survivors of sexual abuse in Arkansas now have until age 55 to file a civil claim, thanks to the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act (known as Act 1036). Before this law went into effect, sexual abuse survivors had only until age 21 to file a claim.

Act 1036 also created a new “lookback” window for previously closed claims. The “lookback” window opened on February 1, 2022. It will close on January 31, 2024.

Clergy-Penitent Privilege Loophole

Clergy members in Arkansas are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report known or suspected abuse. However, clergy members are also protected by clergy-penitent privilege.

This means that if a clergy member gained information about alleged sexual abuse during a confession or confidential communication, they are not legally required to report it to the authorities.

Unfortunately, this rule has allowed an untold number of abusers to continue harming people. Reporting laws in Arkansas were updated or amended multiple times in 2009, but clergy-penitent privilege laws remain unchanged, and there have been no attempts to close this loophole since.

How Act 1036 Helps Arkansas Child Sex Abuse Survivors

In 2021, Arkansas lawmakers passed the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act (also known as Act 1036). The new law has several important provisions that expand legal rights for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The new law:

• Expands the civil statute of limitations to file a child sexual abuse claim. Under the new law, survivors can file a claim up to age 55.
• Creates a two-year “lookback” window for older survivors previously barred from filing a claim.

It’s important to note that the expanded civil statute of limitations only applies to two groups:

• Future victims
• Survivors who were 21 years of age or younger on July 31, 2021

This is why lawmakers created the two-year lookback window. It temporarily opens all “expired” civil claims of child sexual abuse in Arkansas, ensuring that all survivors, regardless of age, have a chance to get justice.

Any child sexual abuse survivor can file a civil lawsuit against an abuser or an organization that concealed the abuse until January 31, 2024.   

Proving Your Claim  

If the sexual abuse you experienced happened years or even decades ago, you may worry that it’s too late to pursue justice. But it’s important to know that civil lawsuits don’t require the same burden of proof as criminal cases. 

Criminal cases require proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, cases only require that you prove that the person more than likely committed the sexual abuse. 

You don’t need to be able to provide physical evidence of the abuse. Your testimony will be key to proving your claim. If other victims of your abuser have also come forward to share their stories, this will also likely help your case. 

You do not need to currently live in Arkansas to file a claim against an Arkansas clergy member who abused you. 

Our Arkansas abuse attorneys can help you build your case. Call us at 1-800-748-7115 for a free, confidential consultation.

List of Arkansas Priests Accused of Abuse

Both the Bishop Accountability project and ProPublica have compiled lists of priests, clergy, and others affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. 

Bishop Accountability Database – https://www.bishop-accountability.org/accused/

ProPublica Database – https://projects.propublica.org/credibly-accused/

Even if you don’t see the name of a clergy member on these lists, it does not mean there have been no accusations made against them. Nor does it mean you don’t have a claim.

Our experienced clergy abuse attorneys can help determine whether you have a claim. Don’t wait—time is limited to file a civil claim under the lookback window, which closes on January 31, 2024. 

Did You Suffer Priest Abuse in Arkansas?

If you or someone you love suffered priest abuse in Arkansas or abuse by another clergy member, the experienced clergy sex abuse lawyers at Saunders & Walker P.A. may be able to help. 

You don’t have to currently live in Arkansas to file a clergy abuse lawsuit. Additionally, you may be able to file a claim on behalf of the sex abuse survivor if you are their parent, legal guardian, or conservator. A victim’s estate may also be able file a legal claim on behalf of the victim. 

Contact our law firm today for a free Arkansas clergy abuse case review. Your confidentiality is our number one priority. Our priest abuse attorneys understand how difficult it can be to come forward regarding sexual abuse—especially in cases where abusers threaten their victims. 

There is no substitute for sound legal advice when you have been the victim of past abuse by a trusted religious figure. Contact us today at 1-800-748-7115 to speak to one of our experienced team members.  We can help you understand whether you have a claim now or in the future and provide meaningful feedback for your situation.