Empirical Article ASSOCIATION FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Long-Term Memory in Adults Exposed to Childhood Violence: Remembering Genital Contact Nearly 20 Years Later Deborah Goldfarb', Gail. S. Goodman2, Rakel P. Larson3, Mitchell L. Eisen', and Jianjian Qins oen:Lament of Psychology, Florida International university: 'Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. 'Department of Psychology, Pities College. 'Department of Psychology, California State University, Las Angeles; and ^Derailment of Psychology. California State University. Sacramento Psycholopc.al Science I -I6 0 The Authors) LOIS AnKle reuse guidelines sigcpub.conliournailtpeimmans DOI- I0.1 I77/216770260130742 wenvpsychologica6cience ocp/CPS OSAGE Abstract Recent changes in statutes of limitations for crimes against children permit accusations of decades-old child sexual abuse to be considered in court. These laws challenge scientists to address the accuracy of long-term memory of genital contact. To examine theoretical, clinical, and legal concerns about long-term memory accuracy, children who in the 1990s (Time 1) were 3 to 17 years old and experienced a documented child maltreatment medical examination that included genital touch were interviewed between 2012 and 2014 (Time 2), as adults, about the medical experience. Almost half of the adults reported the childhood genital contact. Child sexual abuse and greater depression in adulthood predicted greater memory accuracy. No participant falsely reported chargeable offenses that did not occur, even when such offenses had been falsely suggested in a childhood interview. Some participants erred with regard to specific and misleading questions implying less egregious acts. Ramifications for theory and application are discussed. Keywords maltreatment, longitudinal memory Received 3/31/1R; Revision accepted 8/2/18 There are some memories that time may never erase, but questions arise as to whether genital contact e