Wasserman Schultz, Burchett Introduce Bill to Protect Rights of Crime Victims, Prevent Repeat of Epstein Impunity

Washington DC - Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Tim Burchett (TN-2) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act to close the legal loophole that kept survivors of notorious sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein in the dark about his secret, sweetheart deal in 2008. This legislation would ensure survivors retain their rights and avoid further victimization by the legal system, and it's being filed as the architect of Epstein's plea deal, former federal prosecutor Alex Acosta, is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee today, as part of its investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

"Courtney Wild and other Epstein victims were wrongly denied legal standing to invoke their rights, because a secret plea deal was reached that basically slapped Epstein on the wrist. This bill would fulfill the original intent of the Crime Victims' Rights Act and prevent gross miscarriages of injustice like that from being repeated," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "Crime victims deserve dignity and adequate support, not further victimization at the discretion of federal prosecutors. And serial sex offenders never deserve sweetheart deals where victims are kept in the dark and accomplices are shielded."

"After my recent visit to DC, I am hopeful for the first time, because we met with many Republicans and Democrats, all who assured me that they supported these changes to the Crime Victims' Rights Act," said Courtney Wild, survivor-advocate.

The Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act was spurred by Wild's lawsuit that asserted the rights of victims who fell prey to Jeffrey Epstein and were kept in the dark as federal prosecutors hashed out a secret and shockingly lenient plea deal that also protected his co-conspirators. Wild fought in court for over 10 years before a Federal District Court finally declared that her rights, and the rights of other victims were violated under the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA). However, in April 2020, the Eleventh Circuit of Appeals rejected her lawsuit, and ruled that the CVRA was never triggered because the federal government never filed charges against Epstein. Because of this ambiguity in the law, justice for Courtney and other Epstein victims was blocked.

While Courtney's case was high profile, many other victims in federal and DC court continue to lack the right to notice and participation at the pre-trial stage because of these ambiguities in the law. This legislation would empower the Attorney General to implement the necessary reforms to ensure that all crime victims are afforded their rights under the CRVA. These reforms include the clarification that victims have the right to be informed by federal prosecutors of any plea or pretrial agreement that could impact their ability to secure justice and requiring the court to order a remedy if a victim's rights have been violated, among other important reforms.

The legislation has been endorsed by Wild (survivor-advocate); Brad Edwards, and Paul Cassell (Wild's Lawyers); Volare; National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA); National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI); National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV); National Center for the Victims of Crime (NCVC); Victims' Rights Law Center.

"The Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act represents a critical step toward ensuring that the Crime Victims' Rights Act truly provides equitable and meaningful rights to survivors of crime," said Bridgette Stumpf, co-founder and CEO of Volare. "This reform would bring greater consistency to how victims experience the criminal legal system and strengthen access to independent crime victims' counsel-creating an environment of accountability within the criminal process."

"The National Center for Victims of Crime has fought side by side with victims for over 40 years. It is now our privilege and honor to stand with two incredible representatives, Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Burchett, as they take up the battle for victims through the Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act," said Renee E. Williams, Esq., Chief Executive Office of National Center for Victims of Crime. "This crucial act expands VAWA and VOCA in protecting victims' dignity, not only by ensuring that crime victims' rights are enforced, but also by providing accountability and remedies when those rights are violated. We thank Rep. Wasserman Schultz for her work on this crucial bill, and we commit to advocating for and serving victims across the nation. Only when victims' rights are automatic and unquestioned will our victory be achieved."

"The Courtney Wild Crime Victims' Rights Act is a step toward a more equitable and transparent criminal justice system. Too often, victims have been excluded from critical updates about their cases, despite their central role in ensuring accountability," said Stacy Malone, Victim Rights Law Center Executive Director. "This legislation reinforces the principle that justice requires not only prosecuting crimes, but also upholding the rights of those harmed."

"The Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act is an incredible step forward in protecting the rights of federal victims of crime," said Claire Ponder Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy. "This landmark bill is critical for ensuring all victims of crime are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity as they navigate the criminal justice process."

"The National Crime Victim Law Institute supports the Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims' Rights Act. Since it was first passed in 2004, the CVRA has intended to ensure that victims could independently and meaningfully participate in our justice system," said Meg Garvin, Executive Director of the National Crime Victim Law Institute. "We are excited to see that the Act includes many critical elements that will make this original promise a reality. Among these, critical clarification that a victims' rights to confer with the government and to be informed must happen prior to any agreement that could resolve a case. In addition, recognizing the victims often need counsel to help them protect their rights, the Act includes provisions that should increase referrals to counsel and also ease the ability of those attorneys to effectively represent victims in court."

"All survivors of sexual assault deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We appreciate the bipartisan commitment of Representatives Wasserman Schultz and Burchett to support survivor access to their basic rights as they engage in all aspects of the criminal legal system." Monika Johnson Hostler, CEO & President of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Read the entire bill here.

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