Pass the Child Victims Act

The trauma of childhood sexual abuse can fester and grow well into adulthood.

Yet perpetrators of this heinous crime can escape punishment in New York state if the statute of limitations for child sex abuse crimes runs out before a victim reports it. 

This shameful scenario happens far too often because the majority of people who were sexually abused as children suffer in silence and never report it. For those who do speak up, it can be years or even decades before they find the strength to do so.  

The Child Victims Act attempts to give those who endured childhood sexual abuse a greater chance to seek justice. If approved, the legislation would raise the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse crimes to age 28 in criminal cases and age 50 in civil cases. The act would also create a one-year window for survivors previously restricted from coming forward because of their age to sue their accusers.

Albany lawmakers should pass this measure. The toll that childhood sexual abuse takes on people across our state demands it. Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse have higher rates of problems with substance abuse, depression, suicide attempts and eating disorders. 

By passing the Child Victims Act, New York would join seven other states who have already passed similar legislation. Sadly, versions of this bill have made the rounds in Albany for decades but none have ever made it through both the Assembly and the Senate. This must change.

Opponents of the current legislation have expressed particular concern that the one-year window for people previously restricted from coming forward would create an overwhelming deluge of cases.

"This extraordinary provision would force institutions to defend alleged conduct decades ago about which they have no knowledge, and in which they had no role, potentially involving employees long retired, dead or infirm, based on information long lost, if it ever existed," the state's Catholic Conference said in budget testimony last month.

Our legal system places the burden of proof on the accuser, not the defendant.  As such, any argument against this worthy legislation that is based on hardship for the defense falls flat. Such arguments also raise the suspicion that opponents are more worried about their pockets than allowing victims of childhood sexual abuse the opportunity to seek some modicum of justice. 

When it comes to childhood sexual abuse, we should not be concerned about the inconvenience and potential hit in the bank account that institutions might face. Instead, we should take measures to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse find solace.