Bill Overview
Title: Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022
Description: This act eliminates the statute of limitations for a minor victim of a human trafficking offense or federal sex offense to file a civil action to recover damages.
Sponsors: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: Victims of Child Sex Abuse and Human Trafficking
Estimated Size: 5000000
- This act concerns victims of child sex abuse and human trafficking offenses.
- Globally, child sex abuse is a serious issue affecting millions of individuals.
- The legislative change could impact victims who wish to seek civil damages, encouraging more cases to be filed.
- Eliminating the statute of limitations could influence current and future cases globally.
- While there are estimates of global victims of child sexual abuse, exact numbers considering the unique circumstances and willingness to pursue legal actions are difficult to pin down.
Reasoning
- The act primarily affects victims of child sex abuse and human trafficking, who might not have been able to seek justice previously due to the statute of limitations.
- It is likely to positively impact victims by providing them with an opportunity for legal recourse and potentially financial compensation.
- Not all victims will pursue civil action, so the breadth of impact will vary. Those who do might find an improvement in their wellbeing due to the closure and justice they receive.
- The financial support from the government is substantive but has limits, which may restrict the program's ability to serve everyone immediately.
- The impact on people not directly affected by the policy may be minimal in terms of personal wellbeing, though there might be societal benefits in reducing such crimes over time.
Simulated Interviews
Social Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a long-needed change that acknowledges the ongoing impact of childhood abuse.
- Having no time limit to seek justice can be incredibly empowering for survivors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family is relieved that we can now file a case without worrying about the statute of limitations.
- We hope this holds perpetrators accountable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe it's important for society to support survivors, even though I'm not personally affected.
- This change is a right step towards justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about how this will impact taxes and government spending.
- However, I understand the necessity for such a policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Lawyer specializing in civil rights (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a monumental change that will significantly affect my practice and clients.
- Expect more victims to come forward now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legal change strengthens our ability to protect and support victims.
- Might increase the workload, but it's crucial for justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a beacon of hope for survivors who haven't yet shared their stories.
- It's vital for future and current lawyers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Psychotherapist (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change is critical for aiding in the healing process of many of my clients.
- I expect therapeutic outcomes to improve significantly with legal resolutions available.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Entrepreneur (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support this policy if it means a safer future for my children.
- It's a positive step for our society's moral framework.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Child Advocate (Houston, TX)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ability to file without a time limit could truly change lives.
- I've seen cases where this could have made all the difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $550000000 (Low: $330000000, High: $770000000)
Year 3: $605000000 (Low: $363000000, High: $847000000)
Year 5: $665500000 (Low: $399300000, High: $931700000)
Year 10: $732050000 (Low: $438230000, High: $1024900000)
Year 100: $805255000 (Low: $483053000, High: $1127390000)
Key Considerations
- Potential overload of the judicial system due to increased cases.
- Capacity of the federal system to handle a possible surge in civil actions.
- Long-term legal and procedural implications for the justice system.