Opinion | Will California lawmakers break their promise to child sexual abuse survivors? – CalMatters

Report on California Legislative Considerations Regarding Child Sexual Abuse Laws in Public Schools

Introduction

California’s Legislature is currently evaluating potential revisions to Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), a law enacted in 2019 aimed at enabling more victims of child sexual abuse to seek justice against public schools. This report emphasizes the importance of these legislative measures in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Background and Legislative Context

AB 218 was unanimously passed to close a significant loophole in the statute of limitations that previously allowed schools to avoid civil liability for enabling or covering up child sexual abuse by teachers and staff. The law acknowledges the psychological, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent victims from disclosing abuse, often for many years. A notable case highlighting the severity of this issue is the Miramonte Elementary School abuse scandal involving a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher.

Lobbying and Legislative Challenges

1. Opposition Forces: Lobbyists representing school districts, public employee unions, and insurance interests are pressuring legislators to weaken AB 218.
2. Failed Bills in 2025: Two bills, Senate Bill 577 and Senate Bill 832, aimed at modifying or gutting survivors’ rights, failed due to strong backlash from survivors and advocates.
3. Upcoming Legislative Session: Similar “reforms” are expected to be introduced in 2026, potentially restricting survivors’ access to full compensation.

Concerns Regarding Legislative Process

• Discussions on AB 218-related reforms are reportedly taking place behind closed doors, reducing transparency and public accountability.
• There is concern that lawmakers opposing survivors’ rights seek to avoid public scrutiny.
• The child sexual abuse crisis affects over 10% of K-12 public school students, underscoring the urgency of effective legislative action.

Fiscal and Social Implications

The Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom recognized the moral necessity of compensating victims despite fiscal costs, aiming to deter future abuse and take responsibility for past harms. However, school and insurance lobbyists have misrepresented the fiscal impact of AB 218, blaming survivors for financial issues.

• Most California school districts maintain strong financial positions, with only four districts facing significant fiscal distress.
• The primary cause of financial challenges is a decline in K-12 enrollment, not abuse claims.
• School districts and insurance interests continue to resist accountability and reforms such as a statewide registry of school predators and stricter penalties for failure to report abuse.

Commitment to Survivors’ Rights and SDGs

In 2019, California promised survivors equal rights to compensation comparable to victims abused in private settings, such as churches or youth organizations. Upholding this promise aligns with the following SDGs:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Ensuring survivors receive justice and support promotes mental health and well-being.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Protecting children from abuse in schools fosters safe and inclusive learning environments.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Addressing abuse contributes to eliminating violence against children, particularly girls.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Strengthening legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms supports justice and institutional integrity.

Reversing or weakening AB 218 would not only cause grave injustice to survivors but also diminish public schools’ incentives to implement protective measures against abuse.

Conclusion

The ongoing legislative debate over AB 218 is a critical issue intersecting with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. California’s commitment to justice for child sexual abuse survivors in public schools is essential for promoting health, education, equality, and strong institutions. Transparency in legislative processes and resistance to regressive lobbying efforts are vital to uphold these commitments and protect vulnerable children.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses the psychological impact of child sexual abuse and the need for justice and compensation for survivors, which relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The focus on abuse occurring in public schools and the need to protect children in educational settings connects directly to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting safe learning environments.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights the importance of justice for survivors, legal reforms, accountability of public institutions (schools), and protection of children’s rights, aligning with promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and accountable institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article’s emphasis on psychological barriers and trauma from abuse relates to promoting mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
   • The article’s focus on preventing abuse in schools and ensuring safe environments for children supports this target.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The article’s discussion on legal reforms, compensation rights, transparency in legislative processes, and accountability of schools and lawmakers aligns with these targets.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Prevalence of child sexual abuse cases in schools (implied through references to estimated rates and reported cases).
   • Access to mental health services and support for survivors (implied by the discussion on psychological barriers and trauma).
2. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Number or proportion of schools with policies and measures to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse (implied by calls for reforms and protective measures).
   • Incidence of abuse cases reported in educational institutions.
3. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Number of survivors compensated or accessing justice under revised laws (implied through discussion of legal reforms and compensation rights).
   • Transparency and inclusiveness of legislative processes (implied by concerns over closed-door discussions).
   • Number of prosecutions or penalties for failure to report abuse (implied by mention of increased criminal penalties for mandatory reporters).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: calmatters.org