Schumer seeks to end statute of limitations that shields sexual exploitation abusers

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.”