New York’s Senator Pushes To End Federal Statute Of Limitations That Lets Abusers Evade Prosecution, Denies Survivors Justice
Editor’s note: We previously covered Senator Schumer’s call on Congress to protect Medicaid and SNAP benefits for the millions who rely on them to put food on the table. He also joined local politicians and advocates to discuss the devastating impact of these cuts on our communities. Last year, ACS celebrated National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
STANDING WITH STATEN ISLAND ADVOCATES, SCHUMER PUSHES TO END FEDERAL STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS THAT LETS ABUSERS EVADE PROSECUTION AND DENIES SURVIVORS JUSTICE; VIRGINIA’S LAW, LEGISLATION NAMED IN HONOR OF EPSTEIN VICTIM, PROVIDES NEW LEGAL AVENUES FOR SURVIVORS TO PURSUE JUSTICE
Schumer Says New Legislation Is Critical To End Legal Barriers So Victims Can Come Forward When They Are Ready, Not On The Government’s Clock
Schumer Has Been Pushing For Years For Full Transparency & Release Of The Epstein Files To Bring Justice To Survivors; Virginia’s Law Will Eliminate Federal Statute Of Limitations That Has Protected Criminals Like Jeffrey Epstein
Schumer: Justice Should Not Have An Expiration Date
Staten Island, NY—Standing alongside Staten Island advocates and Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced landmark legislation named Virginia’s Law, which will eliminate the statute of limitations that has shielded traffickers like Jeffrey Epstein and denied survivors justice. Schumer explained that Virginia’s Law removes the federal statute of limitations for adult survivors bringing civil claims and helps ensure abusers cannot avoid civil liability through jurisdictional loopholes. Schumer stood with the largest victim service organization in the country, Safe Horizon. This year Schumer secured $500,000 in federal funding for Safe Horizon to provide support services to individuals impacted by crime and violence.
Schumer’s push comes amid a sharp rise in domestic violence incidents across the city and the country. According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the total number of reported domestic violence incidents in Richmond County reached 2,330 in 2024 compared to 1,617 reported incidents in 2020. Citywide, 44,300 domestic violence incidents were reported in 2024, an increase from 31,480 reported incidents in 2020.
“No survivor should ever be told that time mattered more than the truth,” said Senator Schumer. “Virginia’s Law eliminates the federal statute of limitations that has kept too many survivors from pursuing justice. Abusers should not be able to run out the clock and evade prosecution. Survivors must be able to come forward when they are ready, not on the government’s timeline.”
Schumer explained that current federal law allows a federal claim to proceed by a victim if it is brought within 10 years of the abuse. Virginia’s Law removes the statute of limitations, allowing adult survivors to hold their abusers accountable at a time that is right for them. The bill also creates new causes of action to ensure survivors can bring additional claims against abusers.
The bill is named in honor of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s earliest accusers, who advocated for years to strengthen protections for survivors.
“Criminals like Jeffrey Epstein depend on silence and fear, on a system that protects power instead of people. Today we are saying no more,” Schumer said.
“With incidents rising across the city and service providers stretched thin, we cannot allow legal technicalities to stand in the way of justice,” Schumer added. “Time does not erase harm. The time for justice is now, and Congress must act.”
“Survivors of sexual abuse and violence deserve the opportunity to come forward and hold those who harmed them accountable. For too long, statutes of limitations have allowed predators to evade responsibility while survivors struggle to have their voices heard. “Virginia’s Law” would remove those barriers and ensure that abusers can no longer rely on arbitrary deadlines to escape accountability. I commend Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Leger Fernández for their leadership in advancing this critical legislation,” said District Attorney Michael McMahon.
DA McMahon has explained that “…every day, 70% to 80% of the reports that are coming into our office are driven by domestic violence.”
Safe Horizon helps 1 in 33 New Yorkers each year and in 2025 their Child Advocacy Centers supported 12,000 children and families. Safe Horizon provides many different kinds of support, including legal assistance and advocacy. In 2025, 81,500 people received legal assistance, advocacy, and support through Safe Horizon’s courts, precinct programs and legal services. Additionally, 200 trafficking survivors received legal and social services to rebuild their lives and 2,000 survivors and children found safety in Safe Horizon’s domestic violence shelters.
Banner Image: Abuse collage. Image Credit – Susan Wilkinson
Senator Charles Schumer
U.S. Senator Charles Ellis “Chuck” Schumer has dedicated his career to fighting for New York. He visits all 62 counties every year and has delivered countless large and small victories across the state, including delivering $20 billion to rebuild after the 9-11 terror attacks and passing a $63 billion relief package to help New York recover from Superstorm Sandy. From massive snowstorms in Western New York to numerous floods across Upstate, Chuck has delivered aid and support to New Yorkers in their time of need. From authoring a permanent tax credit to offset the rising costs of college tuition, to protecting Social Security and Medicare and encouraging job-creating infrastructure projects, Senator Schumer has made it a hallmark of his career to protect the middle class and those working to reach it – including finding common sense solutions to national issues.
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