On September 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act. This Act amends 18 U.S.C.A. § 2255 by eliminating the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims and is the most expansive federal law on childhood sexual abuse. Previously, survivors only had until their 28th birthday to file a lawsuit in federal court.
Now, any person who, while a minor, was a victim of a following federal code violation may file a civil suit anytime in any appropriate United States District Court:
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 1589 – Forced Labor
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 1590 – Trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude, or forced labor
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 1591 – Sex trafficking of children or by force, fraud, or coercion
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2241 – Aggravated sexual abuse (with children)
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2242 – Sexual abuse
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2243 – Sexual abuse of a minor, a ward, or an individual in Federal custody
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2251 – Sexual exploitation of children
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2251A – Selling or buying of children
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2252 – Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2252A – Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2260 – Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2421 – Transportation generally
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2422 – Coercion and enticement
- 18 U.S.C.A. § 2423 – Transportation of minors[SC1]
With survivors reporting their abuse around the average age of 52 years old, this new law finally accounts for the reality of delayed disclosure and paves the way for survivors to seek justice. If you or a loved one is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, please contact Penn Law at 404.961.7655.
