Senator Hoylman Responds To Announced Extension Of CVA Look-Back Window

NEW YORK—Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the Child Victims Act's (CVA) look-back window will be extended until January 14th, 2021. 

State Senator Brad Hoylman, the Senate sponsor of the CVA and of legislation to extend the CVA window by a full year, issued the following statement in response:

“I applaud Governor Cuomo for announcing the Child Victims Act's look-back window will be extended for an additional five months, to help make up for lost time while New York’s courts are closed to the filing of new claims. 

“Coming forward as a survivor of child sexual abuse takes courage, focus and lots of time. As the unemployment rate spikes above 14%, it's unreasonable to expect survivors of child sexual abuse to do the emotional and legal work necessary to file CVA lawsuits while simultaneously fighting to pay rent and put food on the table.

“In 35 of New York's 63 counties, there have been four or fewer CVA suits filed; in 13 counties there have been zero CVA lawsuits at all. That's not because child sex abuse is coincidentally less prevalent in certain counties—it's because survivors haven't come forward yet. They need more time.

“Survivors need the assurance that New York will stand with them, even after the pandemic ends. That's why we must pass my legislation with Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal to extend the Child Victims Act's look-back window by a full twelve months."

Senator Hoylman and Assemblymember Rosenthal sponsor S7082/A9036 to extend the Child Victims Act look-back window by a full year, as well as the Adult Survivors Act (S6810/A8726) which would create a similar look-back window for New Yorkers who were 18 or older when they survived sexual assault.