Schumer Pushes ‘Virginia’s Law’ at The Retreat, Seeking to End Time Limits for Sex Trafficking Survivors

Proposed federal legislation would eliminate civil statute of limitations for adult survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking

Standing inside The Retreat, a Suffolk County–based nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer called for the passage of “Virginia’s Law,” federal legislation aimed at expanding legal options for survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking.

Joined by advocates and survivors, Schumer said the bill would eliminate the federal civil statute of limitations for adult survivors, allowing them to file lawsuits against abusers without a time limit.

“Justice should not expire. No survivor on Long Island should ever be told that time mattered more than the truth,” Schumer said. “Virginia’s Law eliminates the federal statute of limitations barriers that have kept too many survivors from pursuing justice. Abusers should not be able to run out the clock. Survivors must be able to come forward when they are ready, not when an arbitrary deadline forces their hand.”

Why ‘Virginia’s Law’ Matters for Long Island Survivors

Under current federal law, adult survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking generally have 10 years to file civil cases, while criminal charges carry no statute of limitations. Survivors abused as minors have until 10 years after turning 18 to file civil claims. Once those deadlines pass, survivors lose the ability to seek financial accountability through the courts.

“Virginia’s Law” would remove that time restriction for adult survivors, allowing civil claims to be filed regardless of how much time has passed.

Advocates say the change reflects the realities of trauma, particularly in cases involving sex trafficking, coercive control and long-term psychological harm.

“Survivors of sex trafficking often need years, sometimes decades, before they are able to come forward due to the trauma, fear and coercive control they endure. The average age of disclosure for child sexual abuse is 51,” said Cate Carbonaro, executive director of The Retreat. “Our laws must reflect this reality. Legislation like ‘Virginia’s Law’ ensures survivors can seek justice when they are ready, and it helps break cycles of abuse and exploitation.”

A Bill Named for a Survivor Who Spoke Out: Virginia Giuffre

The legislation is named for Virginia Giuffre, whose decision to publicly detail her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell helped expose a global trafficking network and empowered other survivors to come forward.

Supporters say the bill sends a clear message that neither abusers nor those who enable them can evade accountability by waiting out a legal deadline.

“This bill is needed because trauma does not operate on a legal timeline,” said Laura Mullen, a survivor and senior advocate at ECLI-VIBES. “Survivors don’t come forward when it’s convenient. We come forward when it’s possible.”

The Retreat’s Role on the East End

Founded to serve victims of domestic violence, The Retreat provides emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and community education across Suffolk County, including the Hamptons. The Retreat’s executive director, Cate Carbonaro, says human trafficking — often intertwined with domestic abuse and sexual violence — remains an underreported crisis on Long Island.

For East End advocates, Schumer’s visit and press conference at The Retreat underscored that trafficking and sexual exploitation are not distant issues, but ones impacting local communities.

If enacted, “Virginia’s Law” would mark a significant shift in federal policy — one that supporters argue aligns the law more closely with the lived realities of survivors.

For more information about The Retreat, visit: allagainstabuse.org

For information about Senator Chuck Schumer, visit: schumer.senate.gov