Washington State Sexual Assault Attorney Guide

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Washington removed the civil deadline for childhood sexual abuse that occurs on or after June 6, 2024. For abuse before that date, RCW 4.16.340 gives the later of three discovery-based periods, each three years long, with the clock paused until age 18. An adult assault claim has two years under RCW 4.16.100, while other personal injury claims have three. This guide sets out those rules from the Revised Code of Washington, the criminal deadlines, points to clarify with a lawyer, and five firms that represent survivors in Washington.

For an emergency, call 911. The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault office is 206-389-2515, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

The RCW sections below were read on the Washington Legislature’s official site in October 2026, and the criminal provisions come from CHILD USA’s review. The page explains Washington law in general and does not evaluate any one case.

Abuse on or After June 6, 2024: No Time Limit

RCW 4.16.340(6) provides: “There shall be no time limit for bringing any claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by any person for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse when the act of childhood sexual abuse occurs on or after June 6, 2024.”

“Childhood sexual abuse” under subsection (5) means an act against a person under 18 “which act would have been a violation of chapter 9A.44 RCW or RCW 9.68A.040 or prior laws of similar effect at the time the act was committed.”

Abuse Before June 6, 2024: Three Discovery-Based Periods

For earlier abuse, RCW 4.16.340(1) requires claims “based on intentional conduct” to be commenced within the later of:

  • (a) “Within three years of the act alleged to have caused the injury or condition”;
  • (b) “Within three years of the time the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or condition was caused by said act”; or
  • (c) “Within three years of the time the victim discovered that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought.”

The section adds: “the time limit for commencement of an action under this section is tolled for a child until the child reaches the age of eighteen years.” Branch (c) is distinctive: it runs from the discovery that the act caused the particular injury the claim is about, so a survivor who knew of earlier harms but later developed a different injury may have a separate starting point.

Two more subsections apply:

  • A series of acts (subsection (2)): the victim may compute the discovery date “from the date of discovery of the last act by the same perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or plan of sexual abuse or exploitation.”
  • A parent’s knowledge (subsection (3)): “The knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian shall not be imputed to a person under the age of eighteen years.”

CHILD USA reports no Washington revival window for claims already barred.

Claims Against Institutions

Both subsections (1) and (6) refer to claims “based on intentional conduct.” Whether a negligence claim against a school, church, or youth organization falls within RCW 4.16.340, or under the general limitation periods, is a point of Washington case law for a lawyer to resolve before relying on either period. It decides whether the 2024 no-deadline rule reaches an institutional defendant, so it should be the first question for a lawyer when an organization is involved.

Adult Survivors: Two Years for Assault and Battery

RCW 4.16.100, “Actions limited to two years,” covers “An action for libel, slander, assault, assault and battery, or false imprisonment.” A civil battery claim against the person who committed an assault therefore has two years. RCW 4.16.080, “Actions limited to three years,” covers “any other injury to the person or rights of another not hereinafter enumerated,” which includes negligence claims against others, such as a property owner or employer.

Criminal Deadlines Under RCW 9A.04.080

Prosecution is the state’s decision. CHILD USA, reading RCW 9A.04.080 as certified July 15, 2026, reports:

  • No limit (subsection (1)(a)): rape in the first and second degrees if the victim is under 16; rape of a child in all three degrees; child molestation in all three degrees; sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree; sexual exploitation of a minor; and related offenses.
  • Twenty years (subsection (1)(b)): rape in the first or second degree outside (a), including where the victim was 16 or 17, and indecent liberties.
  • Ten years (subsection (1)(c)): rape in the third degree and offenses involving depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
  • Incest (subsection (1)(d)): ten years, or until the victim’s 30th birthday if the victim was under 18, whichever is later.

The civil rules above do not depend on a prosecution.

Points to Clarify With a Washington Lawyer

The date of the abuse, the survivor’s age at the time, and when each injury was connected to it decide which Washington rule applies. A lawyer can then address:

  1. Did the abuse occur on or after June 6, 2024, removing the deadline under RCW 4.16.340(6)?
  2. For earlier abuse, which of the three periods in RCW 4.16.340(1) ends last?
  3. Is there a later injury that starts its own period under branch (c)?
  4. Does a claim against an organization fall within RCW 4.16.340 or the general limitation periods?
  5. For an adult assault, which claims are subject to two years and which to three?
  6. Does the firm represent any likely defendant or insurer, and what are its fee terms?

Attorney Firms

(1) Crew Janci LLP

  • Location: Oregon/Washington regional practice (Portland; serves Washington statewide)
  • Website: https://crewjanci.com

Nationally recognized firm handling Pacific Northwest institutional abuse claims. Active in Washington cases including claims against the Archdiocese of Seattle. Trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(2) Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC (PCVA)

Seattle-based plaintiff firm with dedicated sexual abuse practice. Handles claims against institutions and individual perpetrators in Washington. Experienced with Washington’s evolving SOL framework including the 2024 no-SOL amendment. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(3) Connelly Law Offices

Washington plaintiff firm handling sexual abuse survivor claims. Covers perpetrator and institutional claims statewide. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Herman Law

Nationally recognized firm. Active against Archdiocese of Seattle and Washington Catholic dioceses. Tracks Washington’s 2024 no-SOL amendment. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(5) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Nationally recognized institutional abuse firm, $3B+ recovered. Active against Washington Catholic Church including Diocese of Spokane bankruptcy proceedings and institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was abused in 2010 at age 12. Is there a deadline?

Yes. For abuse before June 6, 2024, RCW 4.16.340(1) applies: the clock is paused until 18, and then the latest of the three three-year periods controls, including three years from when you discovered the act caused the injury the claim is about.

Does the 2024 no-deadline rule help me if the abuse was earlier?

No. Subsection (6) applies “when the act of childhood sexual abuse occurs on or after June 6, 2024.”

My parent knew about the abuse when I was a child. Did my deadline start then?

No. RCW 4.16.340(3) provides that a custodial parent’s or guardian’s knowledge is not imputed to a person under 18.

How long do I have after an assault as an adult?

Two years for an assault and battery claim under RCW 4.16.100, and three years for other personal injury claims under RCW 4.16.080.

Support and Reporting Lines

  • Emergency: 911
  • Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (office): 206-389-2515
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Sources