CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Democratic Party today condemned House Republicans for championing House Bill 3516, a dangerous and callous attempt to roll back legal protections for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The bill repeals key provisions of a 2020 law, HB 4559, which passed with near-unanimous bipartisan support and modestly extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits brought by survivors of child sexual abuse.

Under HB 3516, victims whose abusers are covered by the state’s insurance agency-BRIM-would see their window to seek justice slashed from 18 years to just 2 years after turning 18. Victims of such abuse would be left with almost no meaningful legal recourse.

“HB 3516 is a slap in the face to victims,” said Teresa Toriseva, Vice Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party and an attorney who has spent decades representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse. “It is well known that many victims are not able to come forward until well into adulthood because of the deep emotional trauma caused by their abuse. This bill re-victimizes them a second time and will go down in infamy. This cruel and dangerous bill, championed by House Republicans, rips away the legal rights of child sexual abuse survivors

The timing of this bill is especially egregious in light of the tragedy that was exposed less than two years ago at the Miracle Meadows Boarding School for troubled youth in Salem, West Virginia. Thirty-two victims came forward to report the details of the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of their so-called care takers at the church school. “Among the abuse alleged by the former students, who are now adults, included being chained and shackled to beds, being kept in tiny isolation rooms for long periods, routine beatings, sexual assault, starvation, and being forced to perform manual labor. The children at times were not given toilet paper, requiring them to remain in their own filth or use their clothing to clean themselves.” These are exactly the kinds of survivors who would be silenced under HB 3516.

House Minority Whip Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio) expressed deep concern for what the bill means for survivors: “This legislation is a devastating blow to victims of childhood sexual abuse. We know how difficult it is for survivors to come forward, and how long it can take to process that trauma. Stripping away their right to seek justice based on an arbitrary timeline is unconscionable. Instead of protecting survivors, this bill protects the insurance industry and corporate America. We should be helping victims heal, not silencing them.”

The 2020 law that HB 3516 seeks to dismantle, HB 4559, was a bipartisan effort to provide a more reasonable path for survivors to pursue civil action. One of its co-sponsors, Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin, called HB 3516 a betrayal of victims and a stunning example of political cowardice.

“This bill is a cruel step backward for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It sends the message that their pain doesn’t matter if their abuser happened to work for an institution insured by BRIM. Survivors deserve time, support, and access to justice—not a legal technicality that shuts the courthouse doors in their faces. HB 3516 protects institutions at the expense of real people who have suffered unimaginable harm. We should be standing with victims—not turning our backs on them.”

The West Virginia Democratic Party stands with survivors and will continue to fight against any legislation that puts political expediency or institutional protection ahead of justice for victims.

Video: WV House Democrats Press Conference - Monday, March 31, 2025

WV House Democratic Whip Delegate Shawn Fluharty describes why the WV House GOP originated HB3516 last Friday (3/28/2025) - which reduces the time a victim of child rape & abuse while under State of WV care can file a claim from 18 years to 2 years - hoping the public wouldn’t pay attention.