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Advocates press Amedore to clarify view on Child Victims Act
By Rachel Silberstein
ALBANY — Standing in the pouring rain in front of a billboard bearing the face of state Sen. George Amedore, activist Kat Sullivan called out the Republican and his legislative colleagues Monday for impeding the passage of a bill that would lift the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sex abuse. The sign, which reads "90% of New Yorkers support the Child Victims Act. Why don't you, Senator Amedore?" is one of three paid for by Sullivan, who says she was sexually abused and raped by a teacher during her time at Troy's Emma Willard School 20 years ago. The press conference at a junction off I-787 was followed by a sit-in at the state Capitol organized by Sullivan and fellow survivors from the Capitol Region, including Bridie Farrell, a champion speed skater from Saratoga who says she was abused by a teammate, and Mary Ellen O'Loughlin, of Perth. Advocates have been targeting Republican senators in their districts, including Amedore, warning constituents of the lack of recourse for victims of childhood abuse, which they say allows predators to continue preying on children. "We know that when sexual assault goes unchecked, it continues and it hurts other people... If the New York Senate does not pass the Child Victims Act by June, they will be voted out by November," Sullivan said. The Child Victims Act, which would raise the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse crimes to age 28 in criminal cases and age 50 in civil cases, has passed the Assembly twice and has broad support in the Senate. But Republican Senate leaders have prevented the bill from coming to a vote. Currently, survivors are barred from bringing charges after age 23. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and other Republicans say they take issue with the look-back window included in the Assembly bill, which creates a one-year period during which survivors of past abuse can bring civil suits for decades-old allegations. Organizations like the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America oppose the window, because they believe it will financially devastate religious institutions and youth organizations. Insurance companies, like Zurich and Liberty Mutual, have also recently joined the effort to lobby against the act, as reported by CBS. Amedore, who has been vague about his position on the legislation, told reporters at the Capitol Monday that Sullivan's billboard was incorrect and that he would support any version of the legislation that Senate Republicans brought to the floor. "It's not true what the billboard says, because we have yet to vote on such a bill," said Amedore, noting that many versions of the Child Victims Act are sitting in committees. "I will support a bill that is before the Senate on the floor for a vote that brings justice for all that brings some reconciliation and some healing and a process of resolve for these victims." When pressed, Amedore acknowledged that he had concerns that a look-back window would open the door to a flood of "frivolous lawsuits." "Look, there's no question. Should someone who committed such heinous acts pay the price? Definitely. But lets not forget that there are people who use any excuse to game the system too," he said. In an interview in late February, Amedore told the Times Union that child predators should face harsh punishment, even years later. "I'm a dad of three children and if I found out that one of my children ever got abused in such an act of evil like that, you know, in later years in life boy wouldn't I want to go after the predator who did it," he said at the time.
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