Democrats Introduce ‘Virginia’s Law’ Alongside Epstein Victims to End Statute of Limitations on Sex Trafficking
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats unveiled new legislation on Tuesday aimed at eliminating the federal statute of limitations for civil claims related to sex trafficking. The bill, titled “Virginia’s Law,” was introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, where they were joined by survivors of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and the family of Virginia Giuffre.
Named in honor of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, the legislation seeks to remove the time barriers that have historically prevented many victims of sexual abuse and trafficking from seeking justice in civil court. Giuffre, whose allegations against Epstein and his associates brought global attention to the trafficking ring, died by suicide last year.
“Virginia’s dream was to inspire and empower survivors to come forward in a world that too often turns away from abuse and pushes it into the shadows. She wanted to bring light,” said Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother, who spoke emotionally at the event.
If passed, the bill would allow adult victims or their survivors to file civil lawsuits for sex trafficking offenses regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred. The proposal also includes provisions to broaden legal recourse, covering applicable sex crimes that took place outside of U.S. soil, provided a U.S. court has jurisdiction.
Representative Leger Fernández emphasized the necessity of the bill for survivors who often require years to process their trauma before pursuing legal action. “It’s her courage that we are honoring today with Virginia’s Law,” Leger Fernández said. “This bill will unlock the doors to the courthouse for the survivors. And to every Epstein co-conspirator and sexual predator: We’re coming for you.”
Senator Schumer expressed strong support for the measure, framing it as a necessary step to close legal loopholes that protect wealthy and powerful predators. The introduction of the bill follows a bipartisan push last year that successfully compelled the Department of Justice to release thousands of pages of previously unclassified files related to the Epstein investigation. However, Schumer and other advocates have criticized the heavy redactions in those documents, arguing they continue to obscure the full extent of the abuse network.
During the conference, Roberts also addressed questions regarding former Prince Andrew, whom Giuffre had accused of abuse—allegations he has denied. “I think he should show up in front of our Congress,” Roberts said. “He has a lot of questions he needs to answer.”
The bill’s path forward remains uncertain in a Congress where Republicans hold a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, proponents hope the high-profile nature of the Epstein case and the bipartisan interest in transparency regarding his associates will build momentum for the legislation.
Virginia’s Law represents the latest legislative effort to address the fallout of the Epstein scandal, which has implicated numerous high-profile figures since his arrest and subsequent death in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. Advocates view the removal of the statute of limitations as a critical “watershed moment” for survivors’ rights, ensuring that perpetrators cannot wait out the clock to avoid accountability.
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