Standing With Survivors

(Hauppauge, NY) Effective today, August 14, 2019, the Child Victims Act will change the state's strict statute of limitations on sexual crimes against children and open up a one-year window to revive past claims of any age. This legislation specifically extends New York's statute of limitations to allow for criminal charges against sexual perpetrators of children until the victim turns 28 for felony cases, up from the current age of 23. It also allows victims to seek civil action against their abusers and institutions that enabled them until they turn 55.

The enactment of the Child Victims Act empowers victims who have suffered for far too long to seek justice for past and future survivors of child sexual abuse, while also helping the public identify hidden child predators through civil litigation discovery, and shifts the costs of child sexual abuse to the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.  

“I was proud to support this piece of legislation, and I am hopeful that it will provide peace and a pathway to justice for so many survivors who have long awaited this victory. It is unconscionable that anyone would prey on a young person, and by holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable, we are creating a safer and healthier New York for all, stated Senator Martinez 

“The Child Victims Act removes major barriers to justice for those who were sexually abused as children. It empowers survivors of child sexual abuse to hold accountable not only the individuals who abused them but also the systems and organizations complicit in that abuse. The Safe Center is grateful to the Long Island Delegation for their leadership on this issue and to the voices of survivors who fought for this important legislation.” Stated Joshua Hanson, Associate Executive Director of the Safe Center 

The Safe Center will be hosting question and answer sessions throughout the coming year regarding the Child Victims Act. If survivors are interested in participating, they can register through their Hotline at 516-542-0404. The first informational session will take place on Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 at 12:30. 

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