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When it comes to holding abusers and enabling institutions accountable, justice often depends on timing. This is what CHILD USA is working to change.
Founded by legal scholar and child protection advocate Professor Marci Hamilton, CHILD USA is the leading national think tank focused on eliminating barriers to justice for survivors of child sexual abuse, particularly outdated statutes of limitations (SOLs). Their mission is simple but bold: to use the law to protect children and hold institutions accountable — and to do so through rigorous, data-backed advocacy.
Different Than Childhood USA
Though their names are similar, CHILD USA and Childhood USA serve very different purposes. While Childhood USA focuses broadly on global child rights and well-being, CHILD USA is a legal advocacy organization based in the United States, dedicated to transforming civil and criminal legal systems to better protect children, and empower adult survivors seeking justice.
Unlike some direct service organizations, CHILD USA does not offer crisis counseling or hotlines. Instead, its work is rooted in the legal system — providing expert research, litigation support, and advocacy that empower survivors and drive institutional change.
Legal Tools That Change Lives
CHILD USA is perhaps best known for its work on statute of limitations reform, advocating for the removal or extension of time limits that have historically blocked survivors from seeking justice.
As of 2024, CHILD USA has compiled the most comprehensive national legal resource on the topic:
Child Sex Abuse Statutes of Limitation Treatise (2002–2024)
This 20+ year legal treatise outlines every change in civil and criminal SOLs across all 50 states — a powerful resource not only for attorneys but for journalists, survivors, and advocates tracking legislative progress.
Amicus Briefs, Survivor Advocacy & Public Policy
CHILD USA doesn’t just study the law — it uses it. The organization files amicus briefs on behalf of survivors, collaborates with law firms and government officials, and trains legal teams on the complexities of child protection law.
They also host survivor-informed panels, contribute to national media, and run awareness campaigns for landmark child protection legislation.
While CHILD USA may be most valuable to attorneys and lawmakers, their work has opened legal doors for thousands of adult survivors who would otherwise have been silenced by time limits and systemic inaction.
Learn More or Partner
SurvivorsRights.com is proud to spotlight CHILD USA as a force for long-term, system-level change. To explore their reports, legislation tracking, and legal tools, visit https://childusa.org.