Here Is What Is Happening In Wisconsin
Civil Statute of Limitations
Discovery Rule:  
Limitations Period: Age 35
Tolling:  
  • Until Victim Turns 35 For Claims Against Perp. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 893.587

  • Actions other than sexual abuse claims against perpetrator may be commenced within 2 years of majority (age 18). Wis. Stat. Ann. § 893.16(1).
Criminal Statute of Limitations
Limitations Period: None for 1st degree sexual assault, or repeated class A or B felony offenses against the same child
Tolling:  
Exceptions  
  • Statute of Limitations depending on the nature of the offense: No limitation for first-degree Sexual assault of a child, or engaging in repeated acts of Sexual assault of the same child including class A and class B felonies. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 939.74(2)(a).

  • For second-degree Sexual assault of a child, repeated class C Sexual assault of the same child, Incest with a child, Sexual assault of a child placed in substitute care, and Sexual assault of a child by a school staff person or a person who works or volunteers with children, the action must be brought before the victim turns 45. § 939.74(2)(c).

  • Other actions must be brought within 6 years of the act if a felony and within 3 years of the act if a misdemeanor. Nonetheless, a majority of claims fall within the bright line rule embodied in § 939.74(2)(c). 
     
News Coverage
Date Title Author Source PDF
5/22/2013 God bless the Whistleblowers Annysa Johnson Journal Sentinal
11/22/2011 Wisconsin lawmaker wants to eliminate statute of limitations for molesters Todd Richman Associated Press
11/22/2011 Legislators Introduce “Child Victims Act”   Go Rapids
11/22/2011 Journal Sentinel, Annysa Johnson, Child victims bill to get another try Annysa Johnson Twin Cities Pioneer Press
11/22/2011 Fox6, Chip Brewster, Child Victims Act would remove statute of limitations for abuse victims Chip Brewster WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE
11/22/2011 WUWM, Marge Pitrof, Another Attempt to Remove Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Marge Pitrof WUWM
11/21/2011 Wisconsin Bill Would Lift Sex Assault Lawsuit Limits    
1/10/2010 Letter of support for the Child Victims Act, Assembly Bill AB453, Senate Bill SB319 Jerry Matysik (Chief of Police) Eau Claire Police Department
3/26/2010 New York Times, For Years, Laurie Goodstein and David Callender, Deaf Boys Tried to Tell of Priest’s Abuse Laurie Goodstein and David Callender NY Times
02/04/2010 LaCrosse Tribune, Anne Jungen, Priest Faces Sex Assault Charge Anne Jungen Lacrosse Tribune
1/25/2010 Journal Sentinel, Editorial, Sexual Abuse Greg High Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
10/21/2009 NBC 15, Zac Schultz, Bill Would Give Last Chance to Child Sex Abuse Victims Zac Schultz NBC 15
N/A NBC 15, Wisconsin Bill Would Lift Sex Assault Lawsuit Limits   NBC 15
07/28/2009 SNAP, Peter Isely, Wisconsin prosecutors arrest record nineteenth clergy child molester Peter Isely SNAP Midwest
3/27/2009 Journal Sentinel, Editorial, Helping the victims- Opening up a window for victims to file suit against their perpetrators would provide one form of justice   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
07/25/2005 The Wisconsin and New Hampshire Supreme Courts Rule Against Clergy Abuse Victims Marci Hamilton FindLaw
05/06/2004 Why Ensuring Accountability for Clergy Sexual Abuse of Children Has Proved So Difficult Marci Hamilton FindLaw
State Outreach Organizations
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: Wisconsin

View ALL Nationwide Outreach Organizations
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