Can I Press Charges for Being Molested 20 Years Ago

My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Washington State

I was molested by my mothers boyfriend when I was 6. I am now 26 and have finally spoken out about the occurrence. Is it too late to do anything about this? What steps do I take to press charges? Should I just call the police or do I need a lawyer?

No the statute of limitations has run out.

RCW 4.16.340 provides the statute of limitations in Washington for injury resulting from childhood sexual abuse as three years from the later of (a) the time of the act causing the injury (the statute is tolled until the victim reaches the age of majority); (b) the time the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or condition was caused by said act; or, (c) the time the victim discovered that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought.

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My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Washington State

I was molested by my mothers boyfriend when I was 6. I am now 26 and have finally spoken out about the occurrence. Is it too late to do anything about this? What steps do I take to press charges? Should I just call the police or do I need a lawyer?

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It is not too late, if the acts occurred in Washington State. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 9A.04.080(1)(c ) provides that most sex offenses against a child (anyone under age 18) may prosecuted any time before the victim turns age 30. You would want to report this to the police/sheriff for the city/county in which it occurred. It will be up to the police/sheriff and prosecutor to determine if the evidence is strong enough to bring charges after all these years. You do not need a lawyer to do this.

The statute of limitation to which PayrolGuy referred is the period for which you may sue your mother’s boyfriend for money damages for any injuries caused by the molestation. It would appear that the time to sue him for that has indeed expired. But that has nothing to do with criminal prosecution of the boyfriend. The time for criminal prosecution is set by the statute I cited in the paragraph above.