Lawmaker Seeks Change to Abuse Statute

By Sara Ali
WBFO
February 7, 2015

http://news.wbfo.org/post/lawmaker-seeks-change-abuse-statute

Efforts are being made to repeal New York State's statue of limitations in response to claims recently brought forward by two victims of child sexual abuse.

Last month, Vanessa DeRosa and Tino Flores asked for a papal investigation into the Buffalo Diocese's response to their claims, which they claim was inadequate.

The abuse cases of Vanessa DeRosa and Tino Flores have caught the attention of Sen. Marc Panepinto, who is seeking a change in the statute of limitations law.

State Sen. Marc Panepinto is co-sponsoring bills to eliminate the 10-year timeframe victims have to bring forth claims. Panepinto, on Friday, talked about what that would mean for the two victims.

"It would allow both of them, who did not bring forth their abuse within ten years of the event happening, the ability to get the medical treatment they need, the compensation they deserve for the abuse, and to help put their lives back together again," said Panepinto.

Panepinto says abusers should not be able to hide behind the shield of the current statue-of-limitations.

"I don't see any reason why we should be protecting sexual predators that target children that they know are likely not to make complaints," Panepinto added.

The Democratic freshman senator says he is optimistic the bill can be passed in Albany.