IL senators unanimously approve plan protecting survivors of childhood sexual abuse

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to protect victims who file lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse.

The proposal could prevent defendants from blaming survivors of childhood sexual abuse in civil lawsuit. Sponsors stress sexual assault is traumatic for any student.

Lawmakers filed the measure in response to a 2019 lawsuit brought by a former Chicago Public Schools student.

"In the course of this lawsuit, a CPS expert psychiatrist testified that not all childhood sexual abuse is traumatic," said Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). "In her words, it depended on the details and what actually happened. So, this bill is to fix that."

House Bill 222 passed unanimously out of the House in May. It now heads to the governor's desk for his signature of approval.

"This is about allowing victims to find justice in the courtroom and further protecting individuals who have gone through traumatic events," Collins said. "This gives those childhood victims the ability to give their evidence without fear of backlash and to know that, in Illinois, the law is on their side."