Current federal law doesn’t allow claims 10 years after the abuse

Photo from Schumer’s Office: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer speaks on Monday at a news conference at the Willow Domestic Violence Center. That center said there were more than 4,500 reports of domestic violence made in Monroe County in 2023.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer

ROCHESTER – Standing alongside Rochester survivors and advocates at Willow Domestic Violence Center, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer on Monday announced Virginia’s Law, new landmark legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations that has shielded traffickers like Jeffrey Epstein and denied sexual exploitation survivors their day in court.

“Justice should not expire. No survivor should ever be told that the law failed them, and time mattered more than the truth,” Schumer said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce Virginia’s Law to eliminate the federal statute of limitations barriers that have kept too many survivors from pursuing justice.”

Schumer explained that, currently, federal law allows a federal claim to proceed by an adult survivor if it is brought within 10 years of the abuse, which has allowed criminals to escape justice by running out the clock.

Virginia’s Law removes the federal statute of limitations for adult survivors to bring civil claims and hold their abusers accountable at a time that is right for the survivor – when they are strong enough and mentally healthy enough to be able to face the significant challenges of civil litigation.

The bill also creates new causes of action, without a statute of limitations time bar, to create new legal avenues for survivors to pursue justice and ensure survivors can bring additional claims against abusers. In addition, the legislation also helps ensure this applies extraterritorially without negatively impacting ongoing cases, so abusers can’t take victims to regions outside the United States and avoid civil liability.

The bill is named in honor of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s early accusers who came forward about her experiences and advocated for years to strengthen current law to better protect survivors. Schumer first announced the legislation this past week with Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and standing alongside Virginia’s family and other Epstein survivors.

“This bill carries Virginia Giuffre’s name because she spoke when so many were told not to,” Schumer said. “The survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have waited long enough. Virginia waited long enough. We can’t let abusers hide behind their power and the clock. Virginia’s story and the stories of so many other survivors in Rochester and beyond demand more than sympathy; they demand action. The time for justice is now.”

Schumer explained this bill will support survivors in places like the Willow Domestic Violence Center. According to the Willow Center, there were more than 4,500 reports of domestic violence made in Monroe County in 2023. City of Rochester rates of domestic violence reporting are 2.5 times statewide rates (excluding NYC), while Monroe County rates of domestic violence reporting are 1.6 times statewide rates outside of the NY City metro area.

“Virginia’s Law restores power to survivors by removing arbitrary time limits on civil justice,” said Meaghan de Chateauvieux, Willow President and CEO. “Accountability should not expire because trauma takes time to process. This legislation sends a clear message: when survivors are ready, the law will be ready.”

Melanie Blow, Board Vice President, Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking said, “We know victims of sexual violence rarely report their abuse when it happens. This is especially true for trafficking victims, who tend to fear law enforcement and face so much instability when they are free from their traffickers. Ten years is not enough time for someone to put their life back together and completely change their world view. Statutes of limitation ensure that most traffickers and sex-purchasers are above the law. We strive for a world where victims, not traffickers, are safe, and we see Virginia’s Law as an important tool to make that happen.”

Kimberly Stawicki, a frequent photo contributor to the Orleans Hub, took this photo of a farm on Maple Ridge Road in Medina on Monday evening. The site is across the road from Mariachi de Oro.

It’s going to be foggy today in Orleans County and Western New York.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a dense fog advisory until 7 a.m. Wednesday for Orleans and 14 other counties. “Greatest duration of dense fog expected across hill tops, and near the eastern Great Lake shorelines,” the Weather Service said.

The high temperatures in the forecast include 40 today, 33 on Wednesday, 35 on Thursday, 41 on Friday and 35 on Saturday.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

Erin Starkweather, left, and Antonio Suarez

CLARENDON – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is announcing significant developments in an ongoing investigation into a series of burglaries at Brockport-Clarendon Self-Storage, located at 4510 Hall Rd. in the Town of Clarendon.

On January 4, deputies responded to the storage facility following a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, patrol units observed numerous storage units that appeared to have been forcibly entered. As the investigation progressed, additional burglary and criminal mischief complaints were reported by multiple victims.

Erin Starkweather, 43, and Antonio Suarez, 38, were each arrested on a total of 23 charges, consisting of 13 felonies and 10 misdemeanors, including:

Felonies (13 total):

• 9 counts of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D Felony)
• 1 count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)
• 2 counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D Felony)
• 1 count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class E Felony)

Misdemeanors (10 total):

• 3 counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• 6 counts of Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor)
• 1 count of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

Both Erin Starkweather and Antonio Suarez were processed at the Orleans County Jail and held for CAP court arraignment. They were subsequently released on their own recognizance.

Phillip L. Martinez

Phillip L. Martinez, 22, remains wanted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and has an active arrest warrant for the same charges.

Anyone with information regarding Martinez’s whereabouts or related to this ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at (585) 589-5527.

Legislation would allow certification through secure phone or video appointments

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the 21st Century WIC Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) while strengthening safeguards to ensure benefits are delivered to those who need them.

The legislation allows WIC participants to complete certification and recertification through secure phone or video appointments, while still requiring at least one in-person visit to ensure personalized support and necessary health screenings.

Through the use of technology, the legislation expands access for busy families, reduces barriers like lack of transportation and time off work, and brings WIC into the next generation for moms and their children.

“No child in America should go hungry. Making WIC work better for families is one of the most effective ways we can help children and mothers get the nutrition they need to thrive,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Families shouldn’t face unnecessary barriers when we have the technology to improve WIC participation. By providing greater flexibility for WIC participants, we can ensure red tape doesn’t stand in the way of parents working to put food on the table. I’m proud to partner with Senator Marshall to introduce this bipartisan legislation and support families across the country.”

The two waivers proposed to be codified in this bill would:

• Allow participants to get WIC certification or recertification through video, teleconference, or phone.
• Allow participants to receive their WIC benefits on WIC EBT cards through mail or remote issuance instead of physically picking up or reloading benefits in person at a WIC office.

The legislation also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress outlining the uses of remote technologies, the impact of remote technologies, and best practices.

“For families in rural Kansas and across the country, repeated trips to a government office can be a real hardship,” said Senator Marshall. “This legislation keeps an important in-person safeguard while using modern technology to cut waste, prevent abuse, and make sure WIC works the way it should — efficiently, responsibly, and with compassion for the families it serves.”

“21st century families need 21st century care. Virtual WIC services are critical to lowering barriers so families can access healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and health referrals. Research by the National WIC Association and the Nutrition Policy Institute found that 80% of participants surveyed said virtual services reduced preexisting barriers like transportation. The 21st Century WIC Act will help ensure families, especially in rural areas, can continue accessing WIC while maintaining the highest standards of program integrity. We are so grateful to Senators Marshall and Gillibrand for their leadership on this key issue,” said Georgia Machell, President and CEO, National WIC Association.