An Act amending the victim of violent crime compensation law

This bill amends Massachusetts law to help adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who seek financial compensation from the state. It allows these individuals to qualify for aid if a licensed mental health professional confirms they did not realize the abuse caused their harm at the time it happened, which is a common reaction for such victims. Additionally, the bill changes the deadline for filing claims, so the three-year limit starts only when the survivor first connects the abuse to their current suffering, rather than when the abuse occurred. These changes aim to make the compensation process more accessible by acknowledging the delayed impact of childhood sexual trauma.