Syracuse Catholic Diocese should support the Child Victims Act

By Your Letters
Post Standard
January 08, 2019

https://bit.ly/2VEXocV

To the Editor:

The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse is at a crossroads. It can show that victims of sex abuse are worth more than 30 pieces of silver or continue to block the Child Victims Act.

The Child Victims Act would lift the statute of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse in criminal and civil cases. It also would allow a one-year period during which adults who were abused as children could file civil claims against their abuser or an institution.

The last part of this legislation is extremely important for victims of child abuse who seek justice. The Catholic Church was successful in covering up sexual abuse acts by priests for decades. This meant the statue of limitations for criminal cases had expired for most of the victims. Criminal prosecution of sex abusers, no matter how horrific the crimes, was not an option.

The one-year window for civil cases will give victims a chance for civil justice. Not only might this help victims in their healing process, it might also bring to light new cases.

With Democrats in full control of state government, they finally have an opportunity to pass the Child Victims Act this session.

I hope the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse will support passage of this legislation.