For These Lawmakers, the Child Victims Act Is Personal

The bill would extend the amount of time survivors have to bring civil and criminal charges. That window currently expires when a person turns 23 years old, a timeline that advocates say is unfair and limiting to many victims. Some of the legislators who spoke about their experiences said they had stayed silent for decades, describing feelings of shame and insecurity that plagued them in the aftermath of their abuse.

"For me, that silence lasted for 25 years. And it is almost unthinkable that I could stand here, as a New York State Senator, to speak about something that I thought I would probably take to my grave," said Senator Alessandra Biaggi, who represents parts of Westchester and the Bronx.