Bipartisan Bill Co-Led by Congresswoman Salazar to Help Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Passes the House

Press Release

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of a bill to help child sex abuse victims. This bipartisan legislation was led by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and co-led by Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) along with Representatives Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14).

The Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act, which went to President Biden's desk to be signed into Law, eliminates the federal civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims and allows certain survivors of child sexual abuse to seek civil damages in federal court, regardless of how long it takes to prosecute and disclose the abuse.

"Victims of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking have gone through unfathomable trauma. We must have zero tolerance for the perpetrators of these horrific crimes," said Congresswoman Salazar. "I am proud that this vital legislation has been passed to ensure that the vile humans who take advantage of the most vulnerable do not get away unpunished."

BACKGROUND

Under current federal law, the statute of limitations allows for prosecution of criminal offenses related to child sexual abuse at any time while the child victim is alive or 10 years after the offense, but statutes of limitations remain an obstacle for survivors under the federal civil remedy statute.

That is why Congress in 2018 increased the statute of limitations for federal civil claims until the victim turned 28 or until 10 years after the discovery of the violation or harm, but this statute of limitations still does not reflect current statistics on when childhood sexual abuse is reported.

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