BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SIGNS LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING AND CHILD SEX ABUSE INTO LAW
ECPAT-USA applauds President Biden for signing the Eliminating Civil Statutes of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022, S.3103 into law. Introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), this critical piece of legislation eliminates civil statutes of limitations for sexual abuse offenses.
This bill was motivated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) failure to investigate allegations made against Larry Nassar, by young athletes. This miscarriage of justice allowed for the continuation of sexual abuse and victimization of children across the country. Due to the FBI’s mishandling of reports, it is estimated that at least 70 women were assaulted by Nassar. As healing from trauma is a unique and individualistic process, this bill removes the pressure placed on survivors to disclose their experiences within a specific time period. This notion of justice is long overdue, and “delayed disclosure” will no longer bar survivors from having their day in court and receiving the justice they deserve.
Additionally, the Biden Administration signed legislation to extend the authorization for special assessment for the Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund (DTVF), which had expired on September 11, 2022. Introduced by Representative Karen Bass (D-CA), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX), S. 4785 revitalizes funding for the DTVF through September 30, 2022. The Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund was established under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA) to provide support to victims of human trafficking specifically. This bill is critical, as monetary funds collected under this program are directed towards programs to combat trafficking and the development, and implementation of child abuse protective programs.
ECPAT-USA looks forward to the Senate passing the Trafficking Victims Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2022 (TVPRA), the House version of which was recently passed. It is crucial that this bill reaches the President’s desk in 2022 to ensure survivors across the country have access to urgent and necessary services.