Senator Gallivan Supports the Child Victims Act

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) joined his Senate colleagues in voting in favor of the Child Victims Act.  The legislation will allow victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against abusers and institutions until they are 55 years old. The current law permits victims to sue until they are 23.  Victims would also be able to seek felony criminal charges until their 28th birthday, and they would have until their 25th birthday to seek misdemeanor charges.

“I support the legislation, but it does not go far enough to protect children and to hold perpetrators of these heinous crimes responsible for their actions,” Senator Gallivan said.  “I continue to advocate for the repeal of the criminal statute of limitations for such crimes and to add members of the clergy to the list of mandated reporters when it comes to alleged abuse.  I would also like to see the legislation support those victimized by a family member, which is among the most common forms a child sexual abuse.”    

In 2018, Senator Gallivan introduced the Child Victims Protection and Accountability Act, which set forth enhanced statutory protections for victims and requires designated persons, including members of the clergy, to report suspected cases of abuse directly to law enforcement, under certain circumstances.  The bill would also amend labor laws to prohibit retaliatory action against employees of non-profit organizations who report abuse.