Arkansas Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you were harmed in Arkansas, you deserve to be believed and to understand your options. Talk privately with an Arkansas attorney who handles these cases every day.
Your local attorneyJoshua Gillispie, Esq.
Justice in Arkansas
You can pursue a civil claim in Arkansas, and a local attorney can tell you where you stand
A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It is your private legal action to hold an abuser, and sometimes the institution that enabled the harm, accountable through the Arkansas courts. You do not need a criminal conviction, an arrest, or even a police report to move forward. What you need first is a confidential conversation with an Arkansas lawyer who can listen and explain your options clearly.
Arkansas survivors have pursued claims against individuals, churches, schools, youth programs, and other organizations that failed to protect them. The right path depends on what happened, when it happened, and who was responsible. An attorney based here knows the Arkansas courts, the deadlines that apply, and how institutional cases are built and proven across the state.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
Your local attorney
Joshua Gillispie, Esq.
Gillispie Law Firm
- 1 Riverfront Place, Suite 605, North Little Rock, AR 72114
- Admitted: Arkansas, 2010
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law
Joshua Gillispie is an Arkansas attorney whose practice focuses almost entirely on representing survivors of sexual abuse and assault in civil litigation. Admitted to the Arkansas bar in 2010, he leads the Gillispie Law Firm in North Little Rock and has more than fifteen years of practice in the state.
He earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, and was honored by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association as its 2017 Outstanding Member in the New Lawyer Division. He obtained a first-of-its-kind significant settlement from the Catholic Church in Arkansas in a sexual abuse matter and represents survivors of clergy abuse, institutional abuse, child sexual abuse, and trafficking throughout the state.
Handles: Childhood sexual abuse, Clergy abuse, Institutional abuse, Sex trafficking
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Arkansas Statute of Limitations
How long do you have to file a sexual abuse claim in Arkansas?
For most adult sexual assault claims in Arkansas, the general civil deadline is three years from the date of the abuse. Childhood sexual abuse is treated differently, and recent reforms have changed what some survivors can do. Because deadlines turn on specific facts, the safest step is to ask an Arkansas attorney about your situation directly.
- Adult survivors: Sexual assault that occurred when you were 18 or older generally falls under Arkansas's three-year personal-injury deadline, typically measured from the date of the abuse.
- Childhood sexual abuse: Arkansas applies a discovery rule, so survivors generally have a window to file after they discover the abuse and connect it to their injuries. Specific timing depends on the facts and on which law applies to your case.
- Two-year revival window (now closed): Arkansas opened a temporary revival window for older childhood sexual abuse claims that ran from February 1, 2022 through January 31, 2024. That window has closed, but other deadlines may still apply, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer.
- Criminal side: Arkansas has no statute of limitations for prosecuting first-degree sexual assault, rape, or any sex offense against a minor; some lesser offenses carry shorter limits. Criminal deadlines are separate from your civil claim.
This is general information, not legal advice; deadlines depend on the facts of each case.
Cases We Handle in Arkansas
Types of abuse claims
If your experience is not listed here, reach out anyway. These are common case types our Arkansas partner handles.
Clergy & Church Abuse
Claims against churches and religious organizations in Arkansas, including the first-of-its-kind Catholic Church settlement our partner secured in the state.
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Civil claims for adults harmed as children, brought against abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them.
Institutional Abuse
Cases involving schools, youth programs, foster care, residential facilities, and other organizations responsible for your safety.
Sex Trafficking
Representation for trafficking survivors, including claims against those who profited from or enabled the abuse.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Arkansas Questions
Common questions from Arkansas survivors
Can I still file a sexual abuse claim in Arkansas?
Possibly, yes. Many Arkansas survivors still have time to file, especially adults within the three-year civil deadline and childhood survivors covered by the discovery rule. The temporary revival window closed January 31, 2024, but other deadlines may still apply. The only way to know for certain is to ask an Arkansas attorney about your specific facts.
Can I sue an institution in Arkansas, not just the abuser?
Often, yes. Arkansas survivors have pursued claims against churches, schools, youth programs, and other organizations that enabled or ignored abuse. Our Arkansas partner obtained a significant settlement from the Catholic Church in such a case. Whether an institution is liable depends on what it knew and how it acted.
Do I need a police report or criminal case to file in Arkansas?
No. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case. You can pursue a civil action in Arkansas without a police report, an arrest, or a conviction. The two processes use different standards, and your civil case can move forward on its own.
What does it cost to hire an Arkansas sexual abuse lawyer?
These cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees and the attorney is paid a percentage only if your case succeeds. Your first conversation is free and confidential. Ask about fees directly so the terms are clear before you decide anything.
Will my case be kept confidential?
Your first conversation is private, and your information goes only to the Arkansas intake team. Survivors' privacy is a priority throughout a case, and many matters are resolved without a public trial. Your attorney can explain what stays confidential and what, if anything, becomes part of the record.
Will I have to testify in court in Arkansas?
Not necessarily. Many Arkansas claims settle without a trial, which means you may never take the witness stand. If your case does proceed to court, your attorney prepares you carefully and supports you at every step. You are never expected to face the process alone.
How long does an Arkansas sexual abuse case take?
It depends on the facts, the parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some resolve in months; institutional cases can take longer. Your Arkansas attorney can give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your situation, and will keep you informed throughout.
What if the abuse happened many years ago in Arkansas?
Many survivors come forward years or decades later, and Arkansas's discovery rule recognizes that for childhood abuse. The closed revival window once covered older claims, but other deadlines may still help you. Do not assume it is too late; a short, free call can confirm whether you still have time.
Free & confidential
Talk to an Arkansas sexual abuse lawyer
Your message goes privately to our Arkansas intake team. There is no cost and no obligation to speak with us.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
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