But to remind you of the power of the law, we also celebrated a victory after our advocacy behind the passage of the Adult Survivors Act in 2022. The ASA Act created a one-year look-back window to allow individuals within New York State who were 18 or older when they were sexually assaulted to file a civil lawsuit against the person who harmed them and the negligent institution. This legislation allowed E. Jean Carroll’s case to move forward in civil court, where she was finally delivered justice.

Cases like this could set a strong legal precedent nationwide to prevent perpetrators and states from silencing survivors. Similar to Brisa De Angulo’s story in Bolivia we shared earlier this year, one case made history and will improve access to justice for millions of child and adolescent victims of sexual violence.