Ohio Sexual Assault Attorney Guide

11 sections 8 min read

Ohio gives a survivor of childhood sexual abuse until age 30 to sue, but only if the abuse fits the statute’s definition: rape and sexual battery are covered in every case, while gross sexual imposition and sexual imposition count only when the abuser held one of nine listed roles, such as parent, teacher, coach, cleric, or treating medical professional. Outside that definition, an assault or battery claim has one year. The only revival in Ohio law is limited to claims against the Boy Scouts bankruptcy estate and closes on October 12, 2028. This guide explains those rules, the criminal deadlines, and seven firms that handle Ohio cases.

In an emergency, dial 911. The OhioHealth Sexual Violence Helpline, listed for the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, is available 24/7 at 844-644-6435, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

The Ohio Revised Code text below is quoted from CHILD USA’s analysis, which reports checking it against the official Revised Code on September 5, 2026. It is general information about Ohio law, not a judgment on any particular case.

Childhood Sexual Abuse: Twelve Years From Age 18

Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.111(C)(1), an action for assault or battery by a victim of childhood sexual abuse, or any claim resulting from childhood sexual abuse, “shall be brought within twelve years after the cause of action accrues.” Section 2305.111(C)(3) sets accrual “upon the date on which the victim reaches the age of majority,” which puts the deadline at the survivor’s 30th birthday.

The words “any claim resulting from childhood sexual abuse” are not limited to the abuser, so a negligence claim against a school or church that resulted from covered abuse is subject to the same period.

The Definition Decides Everything

Section 2305.111(A)(1)(a) covers any violation of § 2907.02 (rape) or § 2907.03 (sexual battery). Section 2305.111(A)(1)(b) covers § 2907.05 (gross sexual imposition) and § 2907.06 (sexual imposition) only where the offender was, in CHILD USA’s summary, one of these:

  • a parent, step-parent, guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis
  • a person with custody of the child by law or through a hospital or institution with supervisory authority
  • a teacher, administrator, coach, or other person in authority at a school or at a college or university
  • a coach, instructor, scouting troop leader, or person with temporary or occasional disciplinary control
  • a mental health professional who induced submission by false representation
  • a licensed medical professional, where the contact occurred in the course of medical treatment (added by S.B. 109, effective March 21, 2025)
  • a detention facility employee
  • a cleric, where the victim was a member of or attended the congregation

CHILD USA points out the consequence: touching by a neighbor, a family friend, or an older peer that would be prosecuted as gross sexual imposition “falls outside § 2305.111 entirely and runs on the one-year assault period.”

Concealment and Convictions

Where the abuse occurred on or after August 3, 2006 and a defendant “has fraudulently concealed from the plaintiff facts that form the basis of the claim,” § 2305.111(C)(1) tolls the period “until the time when the plaintiff discovers or in the exercise of due diligence should have discovered those facts.”

No criminal case is needed. Section 2305.111(A)(1) provides that “[t]he court need not find that any person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to the offense.”

Adults and Uncovered Conduct: One Year

Section 2305.111(B) requires an action for assault or battery to be brought within one year of accrual. If the plaintiff did not know who the assailant was, accrual runs from the earlier of learning the identity or when reasonable diligence should have revealed it. This one-year rule is the baseline for an adult survivor’s assault and battery claim. Whether a claim framed in negligence against a business or employer follows a different period depends on the claim, which is a question for a lawyer at the first meeting.

The Scout’s Honor Window: Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Only

2023 H.B. 35 added § 2305.111(C)(2), allowing childhood sexual abuse claims to be brought “at any time” but “[o]nly for purposes of making claims against a bankruptcy estate of an organization chartered under part B of subtitle II of Title 36 of the United States Code.” CHILD USA reads this as the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy estate. The provision took effect October 12, 2023, and a delayed repeal in the same Act removes it on October 12, 2028. Claims against any other defendant remain on the twelve-year rule.

Criminal Deadlines Under § 2901.13

Prosecution is the state’s decision. No sexual offense in Ohio is unlimited: § 2901.13(A)(2) removes the period only for murder and aggravated murder.

  • Rape and sexual battery (§ 2901.13(A)(4)): prosecution “shall be barred unless it is commenced within twenty-five years after the offense is committed,” subject to the DNA rules in § 2901.13(D), which allow five years from a DNA match made after the twenty-five years have passed.
  • Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, compelling prostitution, and trafficking (§ 2901.13(A)(3)(a)): twenty years.
  • Other felonies (§ 2901.13(A)(1)(a)): six years.
  • Child victims (§ 2901.13(J)): for offenses involving abuse of a child, the period does not begin until the victim reaches majority or a children services agency or a peace officer is notified. CHILD USA cautions that a report made in childhood may start the clock early.

Before You Meet an Ohio Lawyer

Write down the survivor’s date of birth, what happened, who did it, and what role that person held. The role can decide which deadline applies. Questions for the lawyer:

  1. Does the conduct fit § 2305.111(A)(1), as rape or sexual battery, or as gross sexual imposition by someone in a listed role?
  2. When is the survivor’s 30th birthday, and did anyone fraudulently conceal facts after August 3, 2006?
  3. If the claim falls outside § 2305.111, has the one-year period in § 2305.111(B) run?
  4. Is there a claim against the Boy Scouts bankruptcy estate that must be filed before October 12, 2028?
  5. Is any defendant a public university, school district, or county agency, and what rules apply to claims against it?
  6. Does the firm represent a diocese, university, or insurer that may be a defendant?

Attorney Firms

(1) Cooper Elliott

Leading Ohio sexual abuse litigation firm. 100 years of combined experience, over $700 million recovered for clients. Particularly experienced in institutional accountability cases that have changed policies at Ohio and national institutions. Handles cases using anonymous filing (Jane Doe/John Doe/initials) to protect survivor privacy. Signature case work includes institutional defendants in schools, churches, and healthcare settings. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(2) Robenalt Law

Nationally prominent sexual abuse plaintiff firm. Prosecutes civil cases against schools, churches, universities, and employers that failed to protect people from sexual abuse. Obtained significant Court of Appeals opinion in Franklin County confirming that the age-30 SOL applies against both perpetrators and all responsible third parties including private schools. Active in national institutional abuse litigation. Free confidential consultation, no fee unless they win.

(3) Kircher Law, LLC

Founded and led by attorney Konrad Kircher, with decades of experience representing survivors of institutional and individual sexual abuse throughout Ohio. Particular expertise in medical professional sexual assaults (doctors, mental health providers), workplace abuse, nursing home elder sexual abuse, and human trafficking survivor claims. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Donahey Law Firm

Established Ohio plaintiff firm with 50+ years of personal injury and sexual abuse representation. Handles claims against institutions including schools, churches, and employers. Represents survivors with strict confidentiality and respect for privacy. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(5) O’Connor, Acciani & Levy

Cincinnati-based firm with dedicated sexual abuse practice. Trauma-informed approach, handles institutional sexual abuse cases involving schools, churches, daycares, youth organizations, and sports organizations. Contingency fee, free consultation.

(6) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Nationally recognized firm, $3B+ in sexual abuse compensation recovered. Actively litigates claims against Ohio’s Catholic dioceses, Ohio State University (Richard Strauss cases), juvenile detention facilities, and foster care systems. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(7) Babin Law, LLC

Ohio sexual abuse firm with comprehensive institutional abuse practice. Tracks major institutional settlements including $3 million Cleveland Catholic Diocese settlement (22 claims against 16 priests, 2013) and $1.6 million verdict against Cincinnati Public Schools (teacher abuse, 2014). Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was abused at 12 by a family friend and I am now 25. Do I have until 30?

It depends on the offense. Rape or sexual battery falls under the age-30 rule regardless of who committed it. Gross sexual imposition by a family friend is not in the § 2305.111(A)(1)(b) list of roles, and CHILD USA reads such a claim as subject to the one-year period in § 2305.111(B).

Does the age-30 deadline apply to the school, not just the abuser?

Section 2305.111(C)(1) applies to “any claim resulting from childhood sexual abuse,” which is not limited to the abuser.

Can I still file against the Boy Scouts?

Claims against the Boy Scouts bankruptcy estate can be brought at any time under § 2305.111(C)(2) until that provision is repealed on October 12, 2028.

Is rape ever unlimited for prosecution in Ohio?

No. Section 2901.13(A)(4) sets twenty-five years, with DNA extensions under § 2901.13(D).

Support and Reporting Lines

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