Q: I was molested in 1989 at age 5 by my, at the time, 15 yr old cousin. Can he pay for his crimes or is it too late?
I never said anything or pressed charges because I didn’t want to burden my aunt and uncle and I was ashamed. I always figured it was too late to do something. When I found out that there was another victim and that the offender is still infatuated with children per his Facebook page, I felt the need for something to be done. I don’t want any more children to suffer by his actions and I would like him to pay (not necessarily monetary) for what he has done to my cousin and I. He absolutely ruined a large portion of our lives. Is there anything I can do?
A:
In the civil context, because the abuse occurred before July 1, 2015, you would have had to file a civil lawsuit on or before your 23rd birthday. See O.C.G.A. section 9-3-33.1. Thus, any civil claim will likely be time barred.
In the criminal context, prosecution would have had to occur within 7 years of the last act of abuse. Since the last act of abuse occurred in 1989, criminal prosecution is also likely time barred. See O.C.G.A. 17-3-1.
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