Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R.7467/S.3815, also known as Virginia’s Law, in relation to eliminating the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits filed by survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking

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Res. No. 393 ..Title Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R.7467/S.3815, also known as Virginia’s Law, in relation to eliminating the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits filed by survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking ..Body By Council Members Farías, Brewer, Joseph, Louis and Maloney Whereas, On February 10, 2026, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez introduced H.R.7467/S.3815, also known as Virginia’s Law; and Whereas, The legislation is named for Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, who advocated for victims’ rights before she died by suicide in 2025; and Whereas, Virginia’s Law would end the 10-year statute of limitations for adult victims of sex trafficking to file federal civil lawsuits; and Whereas, The legislation also broadens victims’ legal recourse by covering applicable sex crimes that occurred beyond United States’ soil if the abuser or the victim is American, or if a U.S. court has jurisdiction; and Whereas, According to an article from the Texas A&M Law review, survivors of sex trafficking often take years to seek civil damages for the crimes that were committed against them, and traditional statutes of limitations fail to work because they impose arbitrary deadlines that do not account for the complex, long-term psychological process of healing or the time needed to safely escape a dangerous situation; and Whereas, According to a report from Equality Now, these strict time limits effectively punish survivors for their trauma-induced delay in taking action, allowing abusers to evade punishment for their crimes; and Whereas, It is estimated by the Department of Justice that thousands of people were victims of Jeffrey Epstein, including some who are known to reside in New York City; and Whereas, Beyond Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, in 2024 alone, 156 people reported claims of sex trafficking in New York City; and Whereas, Virginia’s law creates pathways for justice for these survivors and represents a shift in how the country enables survivors to hold abusers accountable; now, therefore, be it; Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R.7467/S.3815, also known as Virginia’s Law, in relation to eliminating the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits filed by survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking. KS LS 22026 3/11/2026 3:45pm

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