New York
We are fighting for the passage of the Child Victims Act, which extends the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children. More specifically, the Child Victims Act would extend or eliminate the statute of limitations for future criminal sexual cases involving a child under the age of 18, which gives the victim more time to come forward. It would also extend the time limit for victims to sue in civil court beyond the current age of 23. Finally, the Child Victims Act provides a window to file a claim to hold perpetrators accountable for cases that have expired under previous statute limitations. With the State's current political climate, New York is closer than ever to giving victims a chance to hold their attackers responsible and expose the institutions that covered it up.
California
In California, we are fighting for the elimination of time limits for prosecuting child sex crimes. In late 2018, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill that would have allowed sexual abuse survivors to file a claim until they are 40 years old. In addition, the bill provided a 3-year window for those cases expired under the previous statute of limitations. Providing survivors with the window of opportunity to file a claim is essential to holding predators and institutions accountable for their actions. No matter the age, survivors deserve the chance to confront their abuser. We urge the new governor, Gavin Newsom, to sign legislation that allows victims to hold their attackers responsible, prevents future victimization, and exposes the institutions that allowed it to happen.
Arizona
In Arizona, we are fighting to give child sex abuse victims more time to file a civil claim in order to hold their assailants accountable. Survivors need more time to process and understand what happened to them years ago. Passing SB 1255 would provide the justice that child sex abuse survivors deserve. Under current Arizona law, the statute of limitation is only two years. This bill would provide a seven-year window that allows survivors to bring a civil claim to court. Allowing a window of opportunity holds predators accountable while protecting future innocent children. We urge Arizona lawmakers to pass SB 1255 to provide justice for survivors and hold assailants accountable for their egregious actions.
In Rhode Island, we are fighting for the passage of H5171. Under current law, survivors of child sexual abuse only have seven years to file civil suits against their perpetrators. H5171 raises the statute of limitations from seven years to 35 years. Most importantly, this bill allows survivors, who previously had no avenue for justice, a chance to file a civil claim for a three-year period. Providing survivors with this window of opportunity to file a claim is essential to holding predators and institutions accountable for their actions. We urge Rhode Island lawmakers to pass H5171 to allow much needed justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.
Rhode Island
For survivors of child sexual abuse in Iowa, we are fighting for the passage of SF 189. When the statute of limitations for filing a claim for child sexual abuse is arbitrarily too short, it not only hurts the survivor, but it also helps a sexual predator continue to prey on more innocent children. Passing SF 189 would allow survivors a five-year window to file a claim that was previously time-barred. Providing a window to file a claim is essential to holding predators accountable and protects future innocent children from becoming victims of sexual abuse. We urge Iowa lawmakers to pass SF 189 to help survivors get the justice they deserve.
Iowa
After nearly 20 years of failed efforts, New Jersey lawmakers have the chance to ease the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse survivors. We are fighting for the passage of S-477 in order to help survivors hold their abusers accountable. Putting arbitrary legal limits on a survivor’s time to process their trauma limits their ability to properly pursue justice. S-477 would allow victims of child sexual abuse to sue until age 55, or from seven years of their realization that the abuse occurred. Most importantly, it would give adult victims a two-year window to file a claim that was previously time-barred. Allowing a window of opportunity protects future victims while holding predators accountable for their actions. We urge New Jersey lawmakers to pass S-477 to finally give survivors the opportunity for justice.