Senator Marc Panepinto Calls for Complete Repeal of Statute-of-Limitations for Sexual Offenses Against Minors

Diane Tiveron (HoganWillig), Senator Marc Panepinto, Tino Flores, Vanessa DeRosa, William Lorenz, Jr. (HoganWillig)

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today Senator Marc Panepinto (SD-60), along with childhood sexual abuse victims, Vanessa DeRosa and Tino Flores, and their attorneys, came together to call for the complete repeal of New York’s controversial statute-of-limitations for sexual offenses against minors. Senator Panepinto highlighted his two pieces of co-sponsored legislation that aim to remedy this legal problem and bring much needed reform to our justice system.

“It is unnerving and frankly frightening that a victim of childhood sexual abuse can be told that it is too late to bring a claim against their abuser in a court of law. But that is the unfortunate reality in New York State where the heinous crimes of sexual predators and abusers are shielded behind the law’s archaic statute-of-limitations code. The two senate bills that I have co-sponsored aim to fix this wrong by completely repealing the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against minors. As the newest member of the Senate Codes Committee, I will advocate tirelessly to ensure this critical legislation is brought before the full Senate for a vote. Mr. Flores, Ms. DeRosa, and the countless other victims throughout our state deserve nothing less,” Senator Marc Panepinto said.

Attorneys from HoganWillig, the law firm representing Tino Flores and Vanessa DeRosa, made the following comments regarding the need to pass this important legislation:

“We want to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Senator Marc Panepinto and his office in taking this bold step to effectuate a change in the statute of limitations associated with victims of abuse and the constraints they face in bringing their abusers to justice. We also want to thank all the brave people who have contacted our office after our press conference last week and conveyed their individual and personal stories of unpunished abuse. Our clients, Tino Flores and Vanessa DeRosa, are pleased that their efforts may finally right a wrong that has caused irreparable pain to countless people. We pledge to support our legislators and Senator Panepinto as they push for this much needed change in New York State law and will also continue with our efforts to work with the church, the Pope and their counsel in bringing closure to all those affected by the abuses such as those suffered by Mr. Flores and Ms. DeRosa,” Attorney Diane Tiveron said.

Senator Panepinto’s office will send updates on the progress of these bills as they make their way into committee.

Senator Panepinto is a co-sponsor of S.850 and S.63