Survivors Of Child Sexual Assault Gather At State Capitol To Applaud 2 New Landmark Laws On Sexual Abuse

DENVER (CBS4)- Survivors of child sexual assault in Colorado are hailing two new landmark laws. They gathered on the West Steps of the state Capitol on Friday.

Many have testified before lawmakers on bills aimed at holding abusers accountable. One new law lifts the statute of limitations starting in January on all child sex assault cases going forward.

The other law is the first of its kind in the nation. It allows victims to sue institutions if the abuse was the result of a cover-up by that institution.

"The State of Colorado finally said, 'We stand with kids, not abusers any longer,'" said Sen. Jessie Danielson, a Democrat representing Wheat Ridge.

"It took every one of us many hours, tears and much pain to get this to the finish line and we're at the finish line today," Rep. Dafna Michaelson, a Democrat representing Commerce City.

Survivors who were abused between 1960 and 2022 will have three years to file a lawsuit.