Arkansas legislators push for law addressing Boy Scout child sexual abuse victims
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bill filed by two Arkansas legislators would address settlement with victims of child sexual abuse expecting compensation through the Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Settlement Trust.
Senate Bill 13 by Sen. David Wallace (R-19) and Rep. Jim Gazaway (R-31) specifically addresses the needs of the more than 500 Arkansas survivors of child sexual abuse while in scouting. Should it become law, the bill will fill gaps in previous legislation promoting the rights of sexual abuse survivors.
Previous legislation was passed in 2021 as the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act. That legislation was amended in 2023 and removes the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse in Arkansas.
In addition to lifting the statute of limitations, the vulnerable victims act also extends the so-called lookback window since victims of child sexual abuse often do not come forward until adulthood. During the lookback window, which closes on Jan. 31, 2026, survivors of any age can confront their abusers no matter how long ago the child sexual abuse occurred.
Officials said that in the United States, more than half of child sexual abuse victims first report their abuse after age 50.
SB13, however, is for victims who have previously been awarded compensation for sexual abuse. It is tied to a case due to appear before the Arkansas Court of Appeals on Jan. 22 filed by James Nesmith. Nesmith, a convicted child sex offender, is seeking to have the Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act overturned as unconstitutional.
The 500 who suffered abuse while participating in scouting were awarded compensation through the Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Settlement Trust.
A spokesperson said if Nesmith prevails, the settlement funds will go to victims in other states.
“The Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act is among the most significant pieces of legislation I have been a part of,” Sen. Wallace said. “It makes children in Arkansas safer. What can possibly be more important than that? Certainly not the wishes of Mr. Nesmith or other convicted sex offenders here in Arkansas.”
The legislation is currently before the Senate Judiciary Committee for review.
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