How many years is it to press charges....?

[geckopaws]

My employer who worked for T and M pizza in Somers, CT sexually assaulted and molested me from ages 16 to 21.  I don't know what I did but I know I said no but he continually did it when his wife was not there.  He show me everything and touched everything.  This happened back in 2001 or 2002.  He had many girls work for him, but none of them claimed to have ever been touched by this man.  I am traumatized by this and need to be seen by a psychiatrist once a month.  I have DID which was once called MPD now because I dissociate.  I just want to know if I could ever press charges against this man?  I know where he lives and what his name is.  And I just want to let everyone know that I'm here with you if you guys need help.  Thanks for listening or reading.  

[Jaybay]

It may be too late for a criminal prosecution in your state.  You would need to call the district attorney in the juridiction that it happened.  I don't think there is a time limit on a civil suit, but of course, evidence is lost over so many years so it probably would not be a strong court case whether criminal or civil.

Reporting what happened to CPS likely won't result in a criminal prosecution either for your particular case.  What it WILL do is allow you to tell your story in a safe place and get it on his record with a state agency.  If he is still active and another young woman reports current abuse to CPS, it's easier for them to prosecute the current case with previous documented history.

[geckopaws]

Well he hired me in 1999 or 2000 and I was 16 or 17 when this started happening to me I know he did it once and I quit.  I was confused.  Whether it was a fatherly thing or something foreigners do?  I don't know but it went on and on.  So if you say I have an unlimited amount of time to report it even though I am 27.  Then I could but it would be my word against his.  So could I really do such a thing and win?  I had other people there working for him.  Other girls.  I really wonder.  I really do.  I keep seeing the people that worked with him. And I keep wanting to ask them if my boss did anything to these young women?    

[Jaybay]

If it's too late to legally prosecute the case, you do have another option.  You can make a detailed report to Child Protective Services or a similar family services agency in your state.  While they likely won't act on a report this late after actual events, it will go into their files.  If this man is still actively abusing other people and they make a similar complaint to CPS, your report will help to spur them into action.  Simply making a report can also be a very liberating exercise.  Make a trial run at it by writing it down privately.

CPS reports are entirely confidential.  There is a mile-high stack of case law to back up that confidentialty.  Your identity cannot be publicly revealed under any circumstances.

[piinkpanther]

there is no statute of limnitations on molestation...nomater the state..you were a mionor..he needs to be lovcked up..away from society...he did it to you as a minor..whats to stop him from doing it to other minors??if he was that blatant about it..and you being a miinor..he probably has done it to others..you really should carry this thruy to the end..him being inprisoned.

[RockRose]

It looks like the answer is yes.  Since you were a minor,  it looks like in Connecticut you have unlimited time to report it.  This page is written very confusingly,  so it's a little hard to tell.

The time clock starts ticking once you report it to law enforcement,  and then you have 5 years.

I don't understand your timeframe,  though,  actually.  You report events that went on for a 5 year period but then state they occurred either in 2001 or 2002.    If this happened only after you were 18,  the statute of limitations (5 years) has run out.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/jud/rpt/2002-R-0185.htm

[iam1butterfly]

It depends on what the statutes of limitations are in your state and what, if any, supporting documentation/ proof that you could provide. If you're not certain about what to do, you might want to consider contacting your local police department and discuss this with their Sex Crimes division. It's possible that this man has a record/ criminal history of victimizing other young women.

[margypops]

I am sorry this happened to you ,I hope you come through it after therapy , I think you may get the answers you seek by speaking to someone in Law who deals with sexual harrassment and beyond .Have you googled for information , I expect others here will have further ideas. I will see what I can find out aswell.Your story here may help others if you ever feel you can put the details down , sometimes it is healing to speak it out ...good luck