Senator Chuck Schumer appeared in Washington alongside survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse to introduce proposed legislation known as ‘Virginia’s Law’, aimed at eliminating the statute of limitations for sex traffickers and abusers.
The measure is intended to allow victims more time to pursue criminal or civil cases against perpetrators and institutions linked to trafficking crimes, addressing long-standing concerns that legal deadlines often prevent survivors from seeking justice years after abuse occurred.
Named after Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers and a leading advocate for survivors of sexual exploitation before her death in April last year, the proposal seeks to remove legal time limits that can prevent cases from being filed decades after alleged abuse. Supporters argue many victims require years to report crimes due to trauma, coercion or fear and that removing deadlines would allow courts to hear cases regardless of when survivors come forward.
The announcement comes amid continuing scrutiny of the wider Epstein case, which has prompted renewed debate over accountability for individuals and institutions linked to the trafficking network.
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier with ties to high-profile political and business figures, was accused of running a long-standing sex trafficking operation involving underage girls across several locations. He was arrested on federal charges in 2019 but died in jail while awaiting trial.
His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of helping recruit and groom underage girls. Lawmakers recently sought to question her during a congressional deposition, where she declined to answer substantive questions by invoking constitutional protections, while her legal team indicated she could provide fuller testimony if granted clemency - a proposal that drew criticism from members of Congress.
Family members of Virginia Giuffre have continued to call for accountability, describing Maxwell as a central figure in the abuse network. Giuffre later became a leading public advocate for survivors after speaking openly about her experiences.
Several associates and institutions linked to Epstein have faced civil lawsuits, with survivors arguing systemic failures allowed the abuse to continue for years. The case has since fuelled broader debate in the United States over legal protections for victims and whether existing laws adequately address trafficking and exploitation.
Supporters of ‘Virginia’s Law’ say removing time limits for such offences would strengthen protections for survivors and ensure cases can proceed even decades after abuse occurred, as investigations and public scrutiny tied to the Epstein scandal continue.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know....
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President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Dontesk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Dontesk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of illegally expanding its authority and undermining regional stability.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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