In the first major filing under California’s Assembly Bill 218 — which allows victims to confront their accused abusers in court — six women have filed suit against USA Swimming, alleging the organization failed to protect them from coaches who were known sexual predators. In the lawsuit, three coaches are accused of abusing the women during the early 1980s when they were between the ages of 12 and 17.

The lawsuit alleges that one defendant coach impregnated one of the women and then forced her to have an abortion so she could swim at the 1984 Olympic trials. That same woman claims she filed suit to force the current leadership of USA Swimming to implement protections aimed at preventing and eliminating child sexual abuse within the organization.

California’s bill also created a three year window for victims to file claims against their abusers. This statute is similar to the Child Victim Protection Act currently pending in the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 479 passed out of the House and to the Senate before the Legislature shutdown because of the pandemic. If won’t become law this year, but we’ll be supporting it in 2021.

Georgia’s Child Victim Protection Act (HB479) seeks to offer stronger legal options for victims of abuse. The proposed legislation would: 

Raise the age limit for filing civil lawsuits against abusers by 5 years from age 23 to age 28

Allow victims to sue organizations that failed to prevent or report abuse or concealed known abusers 

Allow adult victims up to age 50 a one year window to sue alleged abusers and organizations for childhood abuse

Penn Law continues to fight for the passage of legislation aimed at increasing protections for survivors of sexual abuse in Georgia.

For years, we have had a strong presence at the Georgia State Capitol as the Hidden Predator Act and Child Victims Protection Act have worked their way through the House and Senate. We will continue to guide victims of these heinous crimes so they receive the restitution they deserve.

###