New law could empower more St. Joseph’s Orphanage survivors to sue, but hurdles remain

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont lawmakers last month approved a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for physical abuse, allowing survivors to seek justice and file lawsuits over childhood abuse.

The conversation began after claims of widespread abuse over the decades at the former St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington and the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster. But there are still some legal challenges survivors will face.

Darren Perron spoke with Seven Days’ Chelsea Edgar, who wrote about the issue in this week’s edition.

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