Only two weeks into the 2019 legislative session, the Child Victims Act passed the Assembly and the Senate on Monday, January 28. After being signed into law, the Child Victims Act will vastly expand the statute of limitations that was previously in place for bringing child molesters to justice.
Republicans Refused to Act for the Victims of Child Sexual Abuse
For over a decade, the New York Senate has been under Republican control. That kept the Child Victims Act on the back burner. However, the bill has been fast-tracked after Democrats won the Senate majority last November. Some very important changes have finally been made to a law that desperately needed them.
Victims of child sex abuse have previously been given until their 23rd birthday to report abuse or file a lawsuit against an alleged abuser or the abuser’s employer. That statute of limitations has now been expanded. Now all victims until age 55 can come forward. The change to 55 years old is largely due to understanding how long it takes many victims to come to terms with their abuse, which often takes decades.
Additionally, the Child Victims Act will allow victims, who were previously time-barred from being allowed to sue their abusers, one full year to file a lawsuit. The “look back” period will go into effect six months from the date the bill is signed into law.
The new law will not necessarily make it any easier for victims to prove abuse has occurred. This is particularly true when that abuse happened many years ago. It will allow them to hold the criminal party liable for their behavior. At this point, it feels like a long-awaited breath of fresh air to see something being done to support our community’s most innocent and vulnerable members.
New York Child Victims Act
While no amount of money or compensation can erase the horrendous experience of sexual abuse, especially as a child. It is important to know that great strides are being made to help protect victims. The New York Child Victims Act is a step in the right direction. It allows victims as much time as they need to heal while ensuring them the right to sue their abuser(s).
At Hach & Rose, LLP, our compassionate attorneys understand that there is nearly nothing as devastating and immoral as the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of innocent children. They are incapable of defending themselves. We believe anyone who exploits a child in any manner, such as by physical/sexual contact, voyeurism, child pornography, or any other way, should be held accountable for their despicable actions. We are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse as a child, and you feel as though you are ready to come forward, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our New York sexual abuse attorneys at (212) 779-0057 and let us go to work obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Note: Secondary sources were used to create this piece, and because of this, the information included has not been independently verified. If you notice a factual issue with our posting, please bring it to our attention, and we will correct or remove it as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: Our intent in these posts is to bring attention to the dangers members of our community face and to encourage caution. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal or medical advice, and we urge you to contact a trained legal professional for more information regarding your specific situation.