More than a dozen women who accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault are still fighting for the right to pursue damages, and are now seeking an extension of the statute of limitations for victims to file lawsuits.
The group of women sued the disgraced star following his release from prison in June 2021, urging states to give them more time.
On Wednesday, nine of the accusers brought cases in Nevada, weeks after convincing the state to drop the statute of limitations for adult survivors.
They now join a variety of advocates who are calling for similar legislation, battling cases against the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts and other institutions.
The debate over how long victims should have to file sexual assault cases has ramped up in recent years following the #MeToo movement.
Some states have already extend deadlines, dropped the policy altogether or established look-back laws, which create windows of a year or two in which victims can file suit.
Nevada eliminated its own statute of limitations back in May, while New York lawmakers established a one-year window for adults to sue, carrying through November.
At least three other states have completely done away with deadlines for those who were abused as children.
In Cosby’s example, more than 60 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, but the former actor and comedian was only arrested in one case because of the time frames involved in the others.
“When Cosby was in jail, there was a sense of justice, even if it wasn’t for what individually happened to them,” said New York lawyer Jordan Rutsky.
Rutsky, who represents 13 Cosby accusers with cases pending across three states, said that the new laws are a way for the women to “finally seek the justice that has been denied them.”
In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo hopes the new policy will help victims find the justice they deserve.
“It doesn’t fix it, but it helps,” Lombardo said, according to KVTN-TV. “With the passage of time people tend to forget the victim, but the victim never forgets.”
With News Wire Services
