Family of Jeffrey Epstein Survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre Join Rape Survivor and Activist Summer Willis at Texas State Capitol

Demanding Senate Take Immediate Action on Sexual Assault Legislation, HB3073 (the Summer Willis Act)

If the Act is Not Scheduled for a Vote by EOD Tuesday, the Bill Dies, Despite Its Overwhelming Passage in the House and Support from Gov. Greg Abbott

AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer Willis, a rape survivor and advocate, will be joined by the family of Virginia Robert Giuffre at a press conference with other sexual assault survivors to demand that HB3073 (the Summer Willis Act) be scheduled for a vote before end of day Tuesday 5/20, the final deadline. HB3073 will define consent in Texas and will close a legal loophole that prevents prosecution of rape cases involving voluntary intoxication. Willis will receive an award from the Senate earlier that morning.

Co-sponsored by Rep. Ann Johnson (Dem) and by Rep. Tan Parker (Rep), HB3073 passed the House by a huge margin of 129 - 4. The Act is also supported by Gov. Greg Abbott and his Sexual Assault Task Force. However, the bill has not yet been scheduled for a vote in the Senate, where it is being held up by Sen. Pete Flores.

Willis and others will urge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to overrule Flores and schedule the vote, before the end of the day on Tuesday, 5/20, or the bill will die in committee. The Texas legislature only meets every two years.

The family of the late activist and survivor Virginia Giuffre are joining Willis and will make remarks, as are other survivors, including Dr Lavinia Masters, the survivor behind the Lavinia Masters Act.

Willis was raped while a sophmore at University of Texas, at a fraternity party where one man drugged her drink before another raped her. Because Willis voluntarily drank the drink, unknowing that it was drugged, neither man was prosecuted, as their acts didn't violate Texas law.

"Texas, I can't begin to describe what survivors go through after we survive," said Willis. "And I don't have words strong enough to describe what it feels like to know our state offers loopholes to rapists and locked doors to us."

"As the family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we recognize the need for change in legislation for sexual assault survivors everywhere. It was our sister's wish to give sexual assault survivors the chance to fight for justice," said Sky and Amanda Roberts, and Lannette and Danny Wilson, brothers of Virginia Giuffre. "We firmly stand by Summer Willis and call on the Texas State Senate to take immediate action on HB 3073."

"Summer's bravery and vulnerability in sharing her story and the resilience in her advocacy are constant reminders that we should always stand for doing the right thing. When our sister Virginia was asked, Why speak now? Her answer was very clear: because when I held my baby girl for the first time, I knew it was the right thing to do."

"So today, we fight with Summer for all survivors and our children and ask the Texas Senate to vote accordingly because it is the right thing to do. We hope that this bill is the driving force for change all over the world and will continue to carry our sister's legacy for change."

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who died last month, was one of the most prominent accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and a longtime activist for survivors of sexual abuse.

"Because of gaps in Texas law, Summer Willis was denied justice. House Bill 3073 is a critical step toward changing that. Survivors of sexual assault deserve more than sympathy—they deserve a legal system that holds perpetrators accountable," says Rep. Ann Johnson. "This bill strengthens our laws and moves Texas closer to ensuring that every sexual assault case is met with the seriousness and justice it deserves."

Willis will receive support from other survivors: Dr. Lavinia Masters is the pioneering advocate and survivor of sexual assault who has significantly influenced legislative reforms. She is the namesake of the Lavinia Masters Act, which passed in Texas in 2019. Sophia Rose Centurioni, crowned Miss Highland Park Teen of 2025, is a 19-year-old sexual assault survivor and advocate.

The bill has already gotten significant public support, including from celebrated activist Monica Lewinsky and Emmy award-winning actor Julianna Margulies.

Willis is calling on Texans to contact their Senator today and urge the Senate Criminal Justice Committee to hear HB 3073 before it's too late.

Press Conference Details:
12:30 PM
Monday, May 19 at the Texas State Capitol
1100 Congress Ave
Austin, TX

Contact:
Dini von Mueffling
[email protected]
(917) 494-4096

SOURCE Summer Willis