N.J. Stat. » Title 2A — ADMINISTRATION OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
New Jersey Statutes

N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1 (2026)

Definitions; accrual of actions; proceedings

✓ laws through the 2025 session (retrieved May 2026)
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1. a. As used in this act:

(1) "Sexual abuse" means an act of sexual contact or sexual penetration between a child under the age of 18 years and an adult. A parent, resource family parent, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis who knowingly permits or acquiesces in sexual abuse by any other person also commits sexual abuse, except that it is an affirmative defense if the parent, resource family parent, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis was subjected to, or placed in, reasonable fear of physical or sexual abuse by the other person so as to undermine the person's ability to protect the child.

(2) "Sexual contact" means an intentional touching by the victim or actor, either directly or through clothing, of the victim's or actor's intimate parts for the purpose of sexually arousing or sexually gratifying the actor. Sexual contact of the adult with himself must be in view of the victim whom the adult knows to be present.

(3) "Sexual penetration" means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or vagina either by the adult or upon the adult's instruction.

(4) "Intimate parts" means the following body parts: sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breast of a person.

(5) "Injury or illness" includes psychological injury or illness, whether or not accompanied by physical injury or illness.

b. In any civil action for injury or illness based on sexual abuse, the cause of action shall accrue at the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse. Any such action shall be subject to the statute of limitations set forth in section 2 of P.L.2019, c.120 (C.2A:14-2a).

c. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2019, c.120)

d. (1) Evidence of the victim's previous sexual conduct shall not be admitted nor reference made to it in the presence of a jury except as provided in this subsection. When the defendant seeks to admit such evidence for any purpose, the defendant must apply for an order of the court before the trial or preliminary hearing, except that the court may allow the motion to be made during trial if the court determines that the evidence is newly discovered and could not have been obtained earlier through the exercise of due diligence. After the application is made, the court shall conduct a hearing in camera to determine the admissibility of the evidence. If the court finds that evidence offered by the defendant regarding the sexual conduct of the victim is relevant and that the probative value of the evidence offered is not outweighed by its collateral nature or by the probability that its admission will create undue prejudice, confusion of the issues, or unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the victim, the court shall enter an order setting forth with specificity what evidence may be introduced and the nature of the questions which shall be permitted, and the reasons why the court finds that such evidence satisfies the standards contained in this section. The defendant may then offer evidence under the order of the court.

(2) In the absence of clear and convincing proof to the contrary, evidence of the victim's sexual conduct occurring more than one year before the date of the offense charged is presumed to be inadmissible under this section.

(3) Evidence of the victim's previous sexual conduct shall not be considered relevant unless it is material to proving that the source of semen, pregnancy or disease is a person other than the defendant. For the purposes of this subsection, "sexual conduct" shall mean any conduct or behavior relating to sexual activities of the victim, including but not limited to previous or subsequent experience of sexual penetration or sexual contact, use of contraceptives, living arrangement and life style.

e. (1) The court may, on motion and after conducting a hearing in camera, order the taking of the testimony of a victim on closed circuit television at the trial, out of the view of the jury, defendant, or spectators upon making findings as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2) An order under this section may be made only if the court finds that the victim is 16 years of age or younger and that there is a substantial likelihood that the victim would suffer severe emotional or mental distress if required to testify in open court. The order shall be specific as to whether the victim will testify outside the presence of spectators, the defendant, the jury, or all of them and shall be based on specific findings relating to the impact of the presence of each.

(3) A motion seeking closed circuit testimony under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be filed by:

(a) The victim or the victim's attorney, parent or legal guardian;

(b) The defendant or the defendant's counsel; or

(c) The trial judge on the judge's own motion.

(4) The defendant's counsel shall be present at the taking of testimony in camera. If the defendant is not present, he and his attorney shall be able to confer privately with each other during the testimony by a separate audio system.

(5) If testimony is taken on closed circuit television pursuant to the provisions of this act, a stenographic recording of that testimony shall also be required. A typewritten transcript of that testimony shall be included in the record on appeal. The closed circuit testimony itself shall not constitute part of the record on appeal except on motion for good cause shown.

f. (1) The name, address, and identity of a victim or a defendant shall not appear on the complaint or any other public record as defined in P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.). In their place initials or a fictitious name shall appear.

(2) Any report, statement, photograph, court document, complaint or any other public record which states the name, address and identity of a victim shall be confidential and unavailable to the public.

(3) The information described in this subsection shall remain confidential and unavailable to the public unless the victim consents to the disclosure or if the court, after a hearing, determines that good cause exists for the disclosure. The hearing shall be held after notice has been made to the victim and to the defendant and the defendant's counsel.

(4) Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the court from imposing further restrictions with regard to the disclosure of the name, address, and identity of the victim when it deems it necessary to prevent trauma or stigma to the victim.

g. In accordance with R.5:3-2 of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, the court may, on its own or a party's motion, direct that any proceeding or portion of a proceeding involving a victim sixteen years of age or younger be conducted in camera.

h. A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action pursuant to this act shall be awarded damages in the amount of $10,000, plus reasonable attorney's fees, or actual damages, whichever is greater. Actual damages shall consist of compensatory and punitive damages and costs of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees. Compensatory damages may include, but are not limited to, damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional trauma, diminished childhood, diminished enjoyment of life, costs of counseling, and lost wages.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 55 cases (39 in the last 5 years), 1995–2026 · leading case: Dattoli v. Yanelli, 911 F. Supp. 143 (D.N.J. 1995).
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Dattoli v. Yanelli, 911 F. Supp. 143 (D.N.J. 1995). · cites it 10× “On the same date, the Court dismissed all of the Counts in plaintiffs Complaint except for the allegation of *145 sexual abuse under N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1. The Court reserved decision on the motion to dismiss that Count pending a psychological examination of plaintiff by a…”
J.P. v. Gregory J. Smith, 134 A.3d 977 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “Plaintiff sought damages pursuant to the Child Sexual Abuse Act (CSAA), N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1, and under various common law theories of tort liability.”
Hardwicke v. Am. Boychoir Sch., 902 A.2d 900 (N.J. 2006). “4] shall apply prospectively and also shall be applicable to all civil actions for which the statute of limitations has not expired as of [January 5, 2006], including the statutes of limitation set forth in [the Child Sexual Abuse Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1], These applicable…”
Lockhart v. Willingboro High Sch., 170 F. Supp. 3d 722 (D.N.J. 2015). “It also alleged violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”) and the New Jersey Child Sex Abuse Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1, and claims of negligence and negligent hiring and supervision.”
Bryson v. Diocese of Camden, 909 F. Supp. 2d 364 (D.N.J. 2012). · cites it 4× “] Plaintiff Bryson’s Amended Complaint [Docket Item 14] asserts three counts against Defendant arising from sexual abuse Plaintiff allegedly suffered more than 40 years ago at the hands of Father Joseph Shannon, a priest in the Diocese: (1) liability under the New Jersey Child…”
J.L. v. J.F., 722 A.2d 558 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1999). · cites it 2× “” Senate Judiciary Committee Statement on N.J.S.A 2A:61B-1 (1992). Pursuant to the legislation, “ ‘[s]exual abuse’ means an act of sexual contact or sexual penetration between a child under the age of 18 years and an adult----” N.”
A.B. v. Y.Z., 878 A.2d 807 (N.J. 2005). “[N.J.S.A 2A:61B-1(e)(1), (2), (4) (emphasis added).”
<font Color=\red\">do Not File in This case</font>- Transferred to Camden - New Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-20270", No. 3:21-cv-20270 (D.N.J. Jan. 17, 2024). · cites it 22× “§ 2A:61B-1, against Roderick alone. Ud. §944—53.”
KP ex rel. SC v. Corsey, 228 F. Supp. 2d 547 (D.N.J. 2002). “Plaintiffs final claim against the Board of Education is under N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1, the statute which creates a civil cause of action for sexual abuse.”
T.S.R. v. J.C., 671 A.2d 1068 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1996). “By Judge Hamlin’s order, plaintiffs will be permitted to proceed on their separate complaints filed in a format which violates the specific statutory prohibition set forth in N.J.S.A 2A:61B-1(f)(1). I must respectfully dissent.”
W.H. v. R.C., No. 2:19-cv-13538, 2020 WL 1041390 (D.N.J. Mar. 4, 2020). · cites it 10× “Count 1: Violation of N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1 Count One of the Complaint alleges that Defendants Diocese of Paterson, Archdiocese of Newark, and Province of the Sacred Stigmata of St.”
Russell Forde Hornor v. Upper Freehold Reg'l Bd. of Educ., No. A-0366-22 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Oct. 8, 2024). · cites it 10× “109 [N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1]. The Committee Statement explained the purpose of section 7 was to eliminate public entity immunity for sexual abuse claims.”
Show all 55 citing cases →
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(a): 3 cases
Rk Newark 2 Doe v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, No. A-3100-22 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 31, 2024).
B.B. v. S. Bradley Mell, No. A-2990-21 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 31, 2024).
J.H. v. Warren Hills Bd. of Educ., 336 A.3d 922 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(a)(1): 18 cases
Bryson v. Diocese of Camden, 909 F. Supp. 2d 364 (D.N.J. 2012). “] Plaintiff Bryson’s Amended Complaint [Docket Item 14] asserts three counts against Defendant arising from sexual abuse Plaintiff allegedly suffered more than 40 years ago at the hands of Father Joseph Shannon, a priest in the Diocese: (1) liability under the New Jersey Child…”
<font Color=\red\">do Not File in This case</font>- Transferred to Camden - New Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-20270", No. 3:21-cv-20270 (D.N.J. Jan. 17, 2024). “§ 2A:61B-1, against Roderick alone. Ud. §944—53.”
A.Z. Vs. A.R.P. & R.T.P. (l-4011-17, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded), No. A-5536-17T4 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Feb. 24, 2020).
John Doe v. the Est. of C.V.O., Jr., 303 A.3d 678 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2023).
Theresa Monica Gruenberg-Harvey v. Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, No. A-2179-23 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Jan. 30, 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(a)(2): 2 cases
W.H. v. R.C., No. 2:19-cv-13538, 2020 WL 1041390 (D.N.J. Mar. 4, 2020). “Count 1: Violation of N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1 Count One of the Complaint alleges that Defendants Diocese of Paterson, Archdiocese of Newark, and Province of the Sacred Stigmata of St.”
<font Color=\red\">do Not File in This case</font>- Transferred to Camden - New Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-20270", No. 3:21-cv-20270 (D.N.J. Jan. 17, 2024). “§ 2A:61B-1, against Roderick alone. Ud. §944—53.”
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(b): 8 cases
<font Color=\red\">do Not File in This case</font>- Transferred to Camden - New Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-20270", No. 3:21-cv-20270 (D.N.J. Jan. 17, 2024). “§ 2A:61B-1, against Roderick alone. Ud. §944—53.”
W.S. Vs. Derek Hildreth, 268 A.3d 1038 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
A.Z. Vs. A.R.P. & R.T.P. (l-4011-17, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded), No. A-5536-17T4 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Feb. 24, 2020).
J.H. v. Lawrenceville Sch., No. A-3846-24 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Jan. 28, 2026).
B.A. v. Golobek, No. 2:18-cv-17523 (D.N.J. Nov. 8, 2021).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(c): 3 cases
Dattoli v. Yanelli, 911 F. Supp. 143 (D.N.J. 1995). “On the same date, the Court dismissed all of the Counts in plaintiffs Complaint except for the allegation of *145 sexual abuse under N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1. The Court reserved decision on the motion to dismiss that Count pending a psychological examination of plaintiff by a…”
D. N. v. Stockton Univ., No. 1:18-cv-11932 (D.N.J. June 28, 2019).
D.D. v. Stockton Univ., No. 1:18-cv-13506 (D.N.J. July 26, 2019).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(e): 1 case
Dattoli v. Yanelli, 911 F. Supp. 143 (D.N.J. 1995). “On the same date, the Court dismissed all of the Counts in plaintiffs Complaint except for the allegation of *145 sexual abuse under N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1. The Court reserved decision on the motion to dismiss that Count pending a psychological examination of plaintiff by a…”
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(e)(1): 2 cases
A.B. v. Y.Z., 878 A.2d 807 (N.J. 2005). “[N.J.S.A 2A:61B-1(e)(1), (2), (4) (emphasis added).”
B.B. v. S. Bradley Mell, No. A-2990-21 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 31, 2024).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(f): 4 cases
John Doe v. Archdiocese of Philadelphia, No. A-3634-21 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 27, 2023).
John Doe 1 v. Archdiocese of Philadelphia, No. A-3636-21 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 27, 2023).
J.S. v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, No. A-2956-22 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Jan. 24, 2024).
F.C. v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, No. A-2955-22 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Jan. 24, 2024).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(f)(1): 4 cases
T.S.R. v. J.C., 671 A.2d 1068 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1996). “By Judge Hamlin’s order, plaintiffs will be permitted to proceed on their separate complaints filed in a format which violates the specific statutory prohibition set forth in N.J.S.A 2A:61B-1(f)(1). I must respectfully dissent.”
R.A. Vs. West Essex Reg'l Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ. (l-8607-18 & L-4811-19, Essex Cnty. & Statewide) (Consol.), No. A-0329-19/A-1846-19 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Aug. 30, 2021).
John Doe v. the Est. of C.V.O., Jr., 303 A.3d 678 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2023).
C.v.O., III v. D.A.O., No. A-3321-24 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Jan. 5, 2026).
N.J. Stat. § 2A:61B-1(h): 1 case
B.B. v. S. Bradley Mell, No. A-2990-21 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 31, 2024).
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