SCHUMER, STANDING WITH ROCHESTER SURVIVORS & ADVOCATES, ANNOUNCES NEW LEGISLATION — IN HONOR OF EPSTEIN VICTIMS — TO END FEDERAL STATUTE-OF-LIMITATIONS BARRIER THAT LETS[...]

Virginia's Law, Named In Honor Of Epstein Victim, Will Eliminate Federal Statute Of Limitations That Let Criminals Like Jeffrey Epstein Run Out The Clock To Escape Prosecution, And Provides New Legal Avenues For Survivors To Pursue Justice

Schumer Has Been Pushing For Years For Full Transparency & Release Of The Epstein Files To Bring Justice For Survivors, And Says New Legislation Is Critical To End Legal Barriers So Victims Can Come Forward When They Are Able, Not On The Government's Clock

Schumer: Justice Should Not Expire

Standing alongside Rochester survivors and advocates at Willow Domestic Violence Center, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today 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. 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," said Senator Schumer. "Our law makes clear that abusers, and those who enabled them, cannot escape responsibility by running out the clock. It makes clear the law will empower survivors to pursue justice, and it recognizes something survivors have always known: time does not erase harm. Jeffrey Epstein depended on silence and fear, on a system that protected power instead of protecting people. Today, we are saying no more. The time for justice is now, and Congress must act."

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. The text of the legislation can be found here.

"This bill carries Virginia Giuffre's name because she spoke when so many were told not to. 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 added.

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 2.5x statewide rates (excluding NYC), while Monroe County rates of domestic violence reporting are 1.6x 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."

Michelle Casey, PPCWNY President and CEO, said, "At Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, our mission is to Our mission is to protect and provide health care and education that empowers individuals and families. With respect. Without judgement. No matter what. A vital component of that respect is the awareness that survivors do not heal on a legal timeline. Virginia's Law removes arbitrary barriers that have prevented many from seeking accountability whaen they are finally ready. At Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York and RESTORE, we see every day how trauma impacts readiness to come forward - expanding access to civil justice is a critical step toward survivor autonomy, healing, and meaningful accountability."

Schumer has long been an advocate for justice for Epstein survivors. Since 2019, Schumer has called for the release of the Epstein files. After Epstein's sweetheart plea deal, Senator Schumer called for the Office of Professional Responsibility to stop stonewalling and make the documentation public, adding he wanted the Senate to have hearings on the matter. More recently, in July, Leader Schumer and Democratic committee colleagues pushed the DOJ to turn over the Epstein files by citing their authority under a little-known statute, the Rule of Five. And in September, Senator Schumer offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have directed AG Bondi to release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. In addition, Schumer led the push to successfully pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act in December and continues to push the Trump administration to release full files.

Schumer has also repeatedly led efforts in the Senate to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to increase protections for abuse victims and set aside funding for shelters, most recently securing its inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2022 funding bill. Schumer previously delivered $325,000 in federal funding for the Willow Domestic Violence Center in 2023.

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