March 31, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Survivors of Sexual Assault Share Impact of Statute of Limitations Laws at Pennsylvania Roundtable
CARLISLE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR), the Office of Victim Advocate (OVA), and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women convened a roundtable discussion on March 30 at the YWCA of Carlisle & Cumberland County, bringing together survivors of sexual assault to share their experiences and perspectives on statute of limitations (SOL) laws in Pennsylvania.
Held just days ahead of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the event created a dedicated space for survivors to be heard, reflect on the impact of current laws, and contribute to ongoing conversations about survivor-centered policy and support.
The roundtable was organized at the request of survivors impacted by Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations laws. Participants spoke candidly about the complex and deeply personal factors that influenced when—or whether—they were able to disclose abuse, including trauma, fear, family dynamics, and institutional pressures.
Many survivors emphasized that it can take years, or even decades, to come forward. Several participants shared the pain of discovering that legal time limits had already expired by the time they felt ready to pursue justice.
“As an adoptee raised in a conservative Amish Mennonite community, I experienced firsthand how insular systems and unchecked authority can leave children unprotected. Over the course of my childhood, I estimate, conservatively, that I endured between 350 and 400 hours of sexual abuse by multiple individuals within that environment,” said survivor Bri Stoltzfus. “Legislation that creates a fair path forward for survivors, particularly those who were unable to come forward within existing deadlines, is not about reopening the past. It is about addressing harm that was never given a real chance to be heard. If we are serious about accountability, our laws must reflect how abuse actually occurs and how long it takes survivors to be able to face it.”
“What we know is that it takes time for survivors to come forward, seek support, and process trauma. These processes take time and survivors deserve time to heal,” said Gabriella Romeo, Public Policy Director at PCAR. “It’s critical that policies reflect the realities of healing and delayed disclosure.”
Discussion topics included common misconceptions about delayed reporting, the emotional and psychological impact of time-limited legal options. Survivors' accounts also highlighted the broader implications SOL laws have on accountability and community safety.
“As a child survivor, I experienced firsthand how systems that are not trauma-informed can silence victims instead of supporting them,” said one participant. “When I disclosed abuse at six or seven years old, I was forced to face my abuser immediately afterward, without protections we know today—like testifying from a separate room. I was terrified and froze, and that moment was interpreted as an inability to move forward. As a result, I was denied the chance to seek full accountability, and my abuser received a lighter sentence, despite there being other victims. It took me decades to find my voice again. Survivors deserve environments that prioritize safety and understanding, and they deserve the time to come forward when they are ready. Expanding the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse is critical to ensuring that justice remains possible, no matter how long it takes to speak out.”
“Far too often, survivors delay reporting sexual assault because the barriers to coming forward are overwhelming,” said Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women. “A common thread we hear is fear — fear of not being believed, fear of retaliation, fear of disrupting families or communities, and fear of navigating systems that don’t represent their needs and interests. The Shapiro Administration is committed to implementing policies that actually support survivors and ensure they are met with dignity, belief, and support no matter when they choose to speak.”
Participants highlighted the importance of expanding access to resources, strengthening community responses, and ensuring that survivors are met with belief and support—regardless of when they come forward.
The roundtable underscored a shared message: survivors’ needs for healing, justice, and recognition do not expire.
Insights gathered during the discussion will help inform ongoing policy conversations and efforts to strengthen support for survivors across Pennsylvania.
For more information and resources for survivors, visit www.pcar.org.
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