ROCHESTER (NY)
WHAM-TV, Ch. 13 [Rochester NY]
February 16, 2026
By Natalie Calzetoni
Survivors and advocates joined Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Monday at the Willow Domestic Violence Center to announce new federal legislation aimed at removing legal barriers for sexual abuse and human trafficking survivors seeking justice.
“Today I’m announcing Virginia’s Law, new legislation that will end statute of limitation barriers that have kept survivors from justice for far too long,” Schumer said. ” Because justice should never expire.”
Schumer said current federal law allows an adult survivor to bring a federal claim if it is filed within 10 years of the abuse. He said the proposed legislation would allow victims of sexual abuse and trafficking to file civil claims against their abusers without a time limit.
The bill is named in honor of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s high-profile accusers.
MORE: DOJ declares full release of Epstein Files, but list of 300 names sparks backlash