Statute of Limitations Overview

Criminal SOL

Wisconsin has no criminal statute of limitations for first-degree sexual assault (Wis. Stat. § 939.74). For second-degree sexual assault of a child victim, charges must be filed before the victim reaches age 45. For adult victims of second and third-degree sexual assault, a 10-year criminal SOL applies from the date of the crime.

Civil SOL

Child survivors (Wis. Stat. § 893.587): Survivors of childhood sexual abuse must file civil claims before reaching age 35 (17 years after the age of majority of 18). This is among the shorter child survivor civil deadlines nationally.

Adult survivors (Wis. Stat. § 893.52(1)): 6 years from the date of the incident under the general personal injury SOL. This is more generous than most states’ adult deadlines.

Special rule for exploitation by therapist: A separate SOL may apply if the abuser was a therapist. Consult an attorney if this applies.

No active lookback window as of February 2026.

ChildUSA Civil SOL Age Cap Grade: Wisconsin’s age-35 cap falls below the national trend toward 40+ caps.

Institutional Liability

Wisconsin allows civil claims against schools, churches, youth organizations, and other institutions. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and completed reorganization, paying settlements to survivors. The Diocese of Superior and other Wisconsin dioceses have also disclosed credibly accused clergy.

Attorney Firms

(1) Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP

Location: Madison and Milwaukee (statewide)
Phone: 608-255-6000
Website: https://gtwlawyers.com/sexual-abuse/

Leading Wisconsin plaintiff firm with substantial sexual abuse survivor practice. Active against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (bankruptcy proceedings) and other Wisconsin institutional defendants. Handles school abuse, clergy abuse, and workplace abuse claims statewide. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(2) Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.

Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, Green Bay, and statewide
Website: https://habush.com/sexual-assault/

Wisconsin’s largest plaintiff firm. Handles sexual abuse civil claims statewide including institutional cases. Extensive resources for complex institutional litigation. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(3) Cannon & Dunphy S.C.

Location: Brookfield/Milwaukee metro (statewide)
Website: https://cannonanddunphy.com/practice-areas/sexual-abuse/

Milwaukee-area plaintiff firm with sexual abuse survivor practice. Handles claims against institutions and individual perpetrators statewide. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Location: National practice (active in Wisconsin)
Phone: 800-315-3806
Website: https://levylaw.com

Nationally recognized institutional abuse firm, $3B+ recovered. Active against Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy proceedings and other Wisconsin institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(5) Herman Law

Location: National practice (active in Wisconsin)
Phone: 800-976-8552
Website: https://hermanlaw.com

Nationally recognized survivor-focused firm. Active against Wisconsin Catholic dioceses and other institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

Important Context

Age-35 deadline is strict. Wisconsin survivors approaching 35 who experienced childhood sexual abuse must consult an attorney immediately. The SOL closes at 35 and there is no lookback window.

Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011 and completed reorganization. Survivors who participated in the bankruptcy claims process received compensation. New claims against the Archdiocese for abuse not yet time-barred should still be evaluated by an attorney.

Adult survivor 6-year deadline is relatively generous. Wisconsin’s 6-year SOL for adult survivors is more favorable than most states’ 2-3 year adult deadlines.

Reform advocacy ongoing. Reform advocates continue to push for eliminating or extending the age-35 cap for child survivors and creating a lookback window. The current restriction leaves many survivors without a remedy.

Crisis resources: Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault: 608-257-1516 | End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: 608-255-0539 | National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673