Massachusetts Law About Child Sexual Abuse
See Also:
Massachusetts Laws
- s.13B: Indecent Assault and Battery on Child Under 14
- s.22A: Rape of a Child; Use of Force
- s.23: Rape and Abuse of Child
- s.24B: Assault of Child; Intent to Commit Rape
MGL c.119, s.21: Mandated Reporters defined.
MGL c.119, s.51A: Mandated Reporting explained
MGL c.277, s.63: Statute of Limitations for Criminal Cases: 27 years from reporting or from victim turning 16.
MGL c.260, s.4C. Statute of Limitations for Civil Cases: 3 years from the act or 3 years from when the victim "discovered or reasonably should have discovered that an emotional or psychological injury or condition was caused by said act."
Other Web Sources
About Child Sexual Abuse, Children's Cove, The Cape and Islands Child Advocacy Center. Covers Signs and Symptoms, Handling Disclosures, Reporting Child Abuse, Mandated Reporters, Contacting Police, Investigation, the Legal System and more.
The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Mass. Attorney General. 91-page report with three main objectives: "(1) to determine whether children were still being sexually abused, or were at risk of being sexually abused by priests or other church workers; (2) to determine whether the conduct of the Archdiocese and its managers in responding to allegations of sexual abuse, or failing to prevent sexual abuse, was criminal and, if so, whether prosecution was appropriate and not time-barred by the statute of limitations, and; (3) to use all available means to ensure that children would be protected in the future.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Education, Prevention and Recovery, American Psychological Association. Includes signs and effects of abuse, what to do if you suspect abuse and more.
Warning Signs for Child Abuse or Neglect, Mass. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Lists "recognizable physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse or neglect."
Print Sources
The Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations : a comprehensive guide to assessment and testimony, Wiley, 2009.
Sexual Assault Trials, by Paul DerOhannesian, LexisNexis, 2006.