Prevent Campus Sexual Violence & Empower Survivors

Summer might be ending, but we’re not slowing down! In the past few weeks, the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act was introduced, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II has new support, and our efforts to stop strip searches have received critical coverage.

Survivors' Rights Restitution Act

The SVPA proudly endorsed the Survivors' Rights Restitution Act, standing alongside survivors, congressmembers, and partner organizations at the Capitol. Introduced by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, this act will establish the Survivors' Rights Restitution Program, a fund for victims of sexual abuse, trafficking, or exploitation whose rights were violated by the federal government.

The federal government has failed to protect survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation for decades. The ongoing egregious treatment of the Epstein survivors is a prime example of this. The FBI and DOJ ignored credible tips and refused to act as early as 1996, allowing abuse to continue for over 20 years. While releasing the Epstein files, the DOJ neglected to redact survivors' names and images, leading to harassment and revictimization.

This law will compensate survivors, with a minimum award of $123,000, to cover both economic and non-economic losses as a result of their survivor rights being infringed upon.

Learn more: SVPA endorses the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act, joining Rep. Pressley at the Capitol

Epstein Files Transparency Act II

The Epstein Files Transparency Act II now has enough support to force a vote. The SVPA has been supporting these efforts by encouraging representatives to sign the discharge petition. This bill would build on the first Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law in November of 2025. The new act will allow Epstein survivors, state prosecutors, and members of Congress to sue the DOJ for failing to comply with the original Epstein Files Transparency Act. The DOJ has defied the law by withholding over 3 million files, heavily redacting the files that were released, and failing to redact images and information regarding Epstein survivors.

House votes were canceled for the rest of this month, delaying a vote until Congress returns on November 9th, after the midterm election. When Congress returns, Reps. Massie and Khanna will have the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on this vital bill.

Learn more: SVPA endorses Epstein Files Transparency Act II, urging passage in November

Colorado Law Prevents Sexual Abuse in Jails

As many of you know, we endorsed and advocated for Colorado Bill 1123, “Prevent Sexual Abuse in Jails”, which was signed into law in May. We worked with reporters, survivors, and our partner organization, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, to get coverage of this monumental win.

The 19th and the Marshall Project covered the law and noted that other states should follow suit, highlighting the resiliency and hard work incarcerated survivors put into getting it passed. In These Times also covered the bill as part of a larger investigation into the everyday violence of prison strip searches, which incarcerated women say are used as a tool of abuse. This law is the first big win in the SVPA's fight to stop strip searches.

• The Marshall Project: Women who organized to push for a new Colorado law hope it will become a model for other states.

• The 19th: 117 women learned their jail strip searches were recorded. Their outrage changed the law.

• In These Times: The everyday violence of prison strip searches, which incarcerated women say are a tool of abuse.

With gratitude,
The SVPA Team