Sex abuse claims in the Catholic Church in Florida

Florida has no active lookback window for historical childhood sexual abuse claims as of February 2026. Florida's civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse is generally seven years after the survivor turns 18, capped at age 25. Florida does have a discovery rule: the SoL begins when the survivor knew or should have known of the connection between the injury and the abusive act. This discovery rule has allowed some survivors with later-emerging psychological injuries to file beyond the standard deadline.

Florida's SoL for sexual abuse was reformed by SB 126 (2010) and extended again by subsequent legislation. For crimes occurring after July 1, 2010, the SoL is 7 years post-majority with a discovery rule. For older claims the prior 4-year rule may apply depending on when the cause of action accrued. The Florida Legislature has not enacted a reviver window comparable to New York or California; CHILD USA and Florida advocacy groups continue to push for reform, but no window is currently pending as of early 2026.

No Florida diocese has filed for bankruptcy protection as of February 2026. Florida cases against the Archdiocese of Miami, Diocese of Orlando, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Diocese of Palm Beach, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Diocese of Venice, and Diocese of St. Augustine are filed in Florida circuit courts in the county of the abuse. The Diocese of Palm Beach drew national attention after two consecutive bishops — Keith Symons and Anthony O'Connell — admitted to personally abusing minors.

Florida survivors can contact the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) at 1-888-956-7273, SNAP's Florida chapter, and RAINN at 1-800-656-4673. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) accepts clergy abuse reports. The Florida Attorney General's Office has not opened a comprehensive grand jury investigation comparable to Pennsylvania's 2018 report, but county state attorneys have prosecuted individual clergy. CHILD USA tracks Florida SoL reform advocacy.