Institutionally-assisted sexual abuse occurs in spaces like workplaces, churches, militaries, hospitals, prisons, asylums, and rehab facilities—anywhere there is a power imbalance or your livelihood is on the line.
Many people are aware of the large-scale facilitation of abuse that has occurred in the Catholic Church and The Boy Scouts of America. They are two examples of institutional failure to protect children, just as the Fox News sexual harassment scandals and the coverups of sexual violence in the U.S. military are examples of institutions actively victimizing adults.
Senate Bill 88 (SB88) in Colorado is a game-changer for empowering survivors of child sexual abuse, and makes great leaps in holding institutions accountable. Generally in Colorado, individuals would have six years after they turn 18 to file a lawsuit against their abuser, but only two years to sue an institution.
SB88 states that a surviving victim may sue both the perpetrator of the abuse and any youth-related organization if they knew (or should have known) about a risk of sexual misconduct. The act waives sovereign immunity for public employees or public entities that operate a youth program, including schools and other educational activities.
The language of SB88 allows surviving victims of sexual misconduct that happened between January 1, 1960 and January 1, 2022 to undertake a lawsuit before January 1, 2025. For those who are abused on or after January 1, 2022, there is no limitation on the time to bring a claim for sexual misconduct.
Colorado is ushering in a brighter future for children to grow up and take control of their histories, their bodies, and their lives.
If you feel you have been sexually violated in any way, you have the right to speak up, and Zaner Harden Law is a safe place to be heard. Reach out to us at (720) 669-1181—we’re here to listen and to help.