The Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) Clinic is the first of its kind in the nation, representing survivors of child sexual abuse in civil litigation and juvenile court dependency matters. The clinic not only provides direct representation to survivors, but also serves as a teaching center as part of the University of Georgia School of Law.
Welcome to the Wilbanks CEASE Clinic
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide free, trauma-informed legal services to our clients in a supportive, professional environment as well as to educate and prepare the next generation of lawyers to represent survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. As a resource center for survivors and attorneys who are seeking these claims, we form part of a movement that seeks justice for all survivors of child sexual abuse.
HB 17 Hidden Predator Act
In July of 2015, Georgia passed HB 17, also known as the Hidden Predator Act, which provides a two-year window to revive civil cases that were previously barred under the old statute of limitations. This window allows survivors of child sexual abuse, who were previously locked out of the courts due to the old statue, to finally seek justice and demand reparations in court. For claims arising out of sexual abuse occurring after July 2015, survivors can bring suit until age 23 or within 2 years of the discovery of the abuse and the resulting harms.
Recording of Webinar on COVID-19 and the Increase in Online Child Exploitation
November 4, 2020
If you missed the 2020 CEASE Webinar on COVID-19 and the Increase in Online Child Exploitation, you can view the recording here: https://vimeo.com/ugalaw/review/475492598/78157c19c3. The webinar featured Adam Dodge, Founder of EndTAB, an organization that works with State Courts, Universities, Title IX offices, Nonprofits, Healthcare Systems, Law Enforcement Agencies, High Schools, Law Firms, and Social Service Providers in understanding and navigating the digital abuse landscape.
CEASE Webinar 11/12 at 2pm on Vacatur and Record Restriction for Survivors of Trafficking
November 3, 2020
Join the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic, Georgia Justice Project, and Street Grace for a webinar on SB435, also known as the Debbie Vance Act, on Thursday, November 12, 2020, 2pm - 4pm EST. The new law allows vacatur or record restriction of certain convictions for survivors of trafficking in Georgia. The speakers of this webinar will discuss how to identify survivors of trafficking, trauma-informed representation, eligibility and procedure under the Debbie Vance Act, and the required forms from the Georgia Attorney General's office.
CEASE Webinar on COVID-19 and the Increase in Online Child Exploitation
October 22, 2020
Join us on Thursday October 22nd, 2pm to 3:30pm, for a discussion on COVID-19 and the increase of online child exploitation. Professor Thomas Kadri will be moderating and presenters include Adam Dodge, Founder of EndTAB, and Abigail Olson, 2L at Georgia Law. Registration for the webinar is free: https://forms.gle/EPn5bmiAfD3YwaDS6.
