Justice for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

It May Not Be Too Late — Even If the Abuse Happened Decades Ago.

Arkansas law has changed. Many survivors who were told they had no options — because too much time had passed — now have a path to justice. Whether you were abused as a child or an adult, whether it happened last year or thirty years ago, call us before you assume your window has closed.

The Criminal System Isn’t Enough

When someone sexually abuses another person, the criminal justice system may punish the abuser — but it does nothing for the survivor. No therapy. No compensation. No acknowledgment of what was taken from you.

A civil lawsuit is different. It puts money in your hands, not just a prison sentence on the abuser’s record. And it can go after the institutions — schools, churches, employers, organizations — that looked the other way.

At Wilkinson Law Firm, we represent survivors of sexual abuse in civil lawsuits. Adults. Children. All circumstances. We fight to get you what the criminal system never could.

Why Shane Wilkinson

Shane Wilkinson spent years as a prosecutor in Arkansas handling the most serious sexual assault and sex crimes cases. He has stood in courtrooms and fought for victims. He has also defended the accused — which means he knows exactly how these cases are built, how investigations are conducted, and where the truth lies.

That background is rare in a plaintiffs’ attorney. It means we come to your case already knowing what the other side will do — and how to beat it.

• Former sex crimes prosecutor — Arkansas
• Extensive trial experience
• Deep knowledge of how police and forensic investigations work
• Understands both sides — and uses that advantage for you
• Northwest Arkansas based

Understanding Your Deadline — Arkansas Law

This is one of the most important things to understand before you assume it’s too late.

If You Were Abused as a Child

Arkansas passed a landmark law in 2021 — the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-118-118) — that dramatically extended the rights of childhood sexual abuse survivors to sue in civil court.

Born on or after July 28, 2000? There is effectively no deadline for your civil claim. You may file a lawsuit at any time until you turn 55 — or within 3 years of discovering the connection between your injuries and the abuse, whichever gives you more time. This means a person abused at age 10 in 2015 has until 2055 to file. Decades from now. You are not out of time.

Born before July 28, 2000 — abuse occurred in recent years? If your claim had not yet expired as of July 28, 2021, you are also covered under the new law. You still have until age 55 or 3 years from discovery.

Born before July 28, 2000 — abuse occurred long ago? This is where the law gets more complex. However — do not assume your case is over. The discovery rule may still apply: if you only recently connected your current injuries, mental health struggles, or life difficulties to the abuse, the clock may not have started yet. Many survivors don’t fully understand the impact of their abuse until adulthood. Call us. We evaluate this for free.

The Bottom Line for Child Survivors:

If You Were Abused as an Adult

For adult victims of sexual assault, Arkansas provides 3 years from the date of the assault — or from the date you discovered the injury — to file a civil lawsuit. (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105)

The discovery rule matters here too. If trauma, repression, or the circumstances of the abuse prevented you from recognizing or connecting the harm until recently, the 3-year clock may run from that point of discovery — not from the date of the assault itself. This has allowed survivors to file claims years or even decades after the abuse occurred.

If you are unsure whether your time has passed, call us before giving up.

We Can Pursue Claims Against:

Beyond the individual abuser, civil lawsuits can target the organizations and institutions that failed to protect you:

• Schools and school districts
• Churches and religious organizations
• Youth sports leagues and organizations
• Boy Scouts and similar organizations
• Foster care agencies and DHS
• Employers (workplace sexual assault)
• Hospitals and medical providers
• Any institution that knew — or should have known — and did nothing

Institutions often have far more resources than individual abusers. Holding them accountable matters — financially and as a matter of public record.

What You Can Recover

• Medical and psychological treatment — past and future
• Therapy and counseling costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages — to punish abusers and negligent institutions

You Are Not Alone — And It Is Not Your Fault

Many survivors carry their experiences for years — sometimes their entire lives — before they feel ready to come forward. Some were told as children that no one would believe them. Some believed the statute of limitations had run out long ago. Some are only now, in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, beginning to understand how the abuse shaped their life.

You are not too late. You are not too old. You are not alone.

Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no pressure or obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue even if the criminal case was dropped, never investigated, or resulted in an acquittal? Yes. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate. You do not need a criminal conviction — or even a criminal investigation — to file a civil lawsuit. The burden of proof in civil court is lower than in criminal court.

I was abused 20 or 30 years ago. Is it really not too late? It depends on your specific circumstances — including your age, when the abuse occurred, and when you began to connect the abuse to its effects on your life. Under Arkansas’s discovery rule and the 2021 reform law, many survivors who believed they had no options do. Call us for a free evaluation before assuming the answer is no.

What if I can’t remember every detail? That is normal and expected. Trauma profoundly affects memory. Courts understand this. We work with you and with medical and psychological experts to build the strongest case possible.

What if the abuser has no money? Individual abusers often don’t. That’s why we look beyond the abuser to the institutions — schools, churches, employers, organizations — that may bear legal responsibility and have far greater resources.

What if I already signed a settlement or NDA? Depending on the circumstances, these agreements may be challengeable, particularly if they were signed under duress or without proper legal counsel. Contact us and we’ll review your situation.

Is there any cost to me upfront? None. We work on contingency — meaning we only get paid if and when we recover compensation for you.