Sex abuse claims in the Catholic Church in Delaware

Delaware was a pioneer in childhood sexual abuse SOL reform, enacting a 2-year lookback window in 2007 and again in 2010. Both windows are now closed. Delaware's current baseline civil SOL for childhood sexual abuse is 25 years after the survivor turns 18 (age 43). Survivors under age 43 who have not previously filed may still have viable claims under Delaware's extended standard SOL. The Diocese of Wilmington has published a credibly accused clergy list.

Delaware clergy claims are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the abuse occurred (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex). Survivors weighing a claim can reach RAINN at 1-800-656-4673, SNAP, and CHILD USA, which tracks Delaware's SOL developments. Because timelines can turn on individual facts, survivors uncertain about their deadline should have it reviewed rather than assume it has passed.