STATEMENT BY SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN ON REPUBLICAN STATE SENATE LEGISLATION TO CREATE STATE FUND FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

NEW YORK- State Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WFP- Manhattan) The legislation introduced today aims to create a compensation fund by raiding $300 million in funds from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII). It is wrong to put the public on the hook for the misdeeds of institutions or individuals who have perpetrated child sexual abuse, especially without discovery and other public court proceedings to protect survivors and help expose institutions that have harbored predators.  Public funds should not be used to provide “hush money” to cover for them.

Unfortunately, the sponsors of this misguided legislation didn’t even consult with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office before submitting their legislation. Had they done so, they would have learned that it is impermissible to use CJII funds for the bill’s intended purpose. Even if it were allowed, using $300 million from CJII for a compensation fund would mean diverting millions of dollars from lifesaving investments in public safety in New York City such as providing mobile devices for members of the NYPD, ending the backlog of untested rape test kits, installing new cameras and lighting at NYCHA, and investing in other security upgrades.

New Yorkers shouldn’t foot the bill for the heinous crimes of child sexual abuse. The State Senate should pass my Child Victims Act (S6575/A5885-A), which passed the New York State Assembly under the leadership of Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal 130-10 on May 1, 2018 with 28 Republican votes in favor. The Child Victims Act places responsibility squarely where it belongs: on the child sexual abusers and institutions who harbor them.