NEW YORK
New York Daily News
Dismissal of Yeshiva University sex abuse lawsuit makes strong case for Assemblywoman Margaret Markey’s Child Victims Act
BY MICHAEL O’KEEFFE
When U.S. District Court Judge John Koeltl dismissed the $680 million sexual abuse lawsuit filed by 34 former Yeshiva University prep school students two weeks ago because the alleged assaults took place after the statute of limitations expired, he inadvertently made a strong case for Assemblywoman Margaret Markey’s Child Victims Act.
Koeltl, displaying an astonishing lack of awareness about issues facing sexual abuse victims, claimed the plaintiffs should have brought their claims before they turned 21 years old. But mental health experts say – and sex abuse scandals involving football coaches at Poly Prep, Penn State and other institutions prove – that most victims are prepared to address the damage they have suffered until they are in their 40s.
Markey’s office sent us a press release earlier this month about her bill, which would eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Here’s what the Queens Democrat says she is doing to get the bill passed this year:
1. IN THE LEGISLATURE: Sponsorship by Members of the Assembly is the highest ever for the legislation (A1771A). I am reaching out to expand that base of sponsorship leading up to a vote in the Assembly to adopt the bill. Both the Assembly Judiciary and Codes Committees are currently reviewing the legislation and we expect the bill will come to the Assembly floor for adoption in May. More limited forms of CVA have been adopted by the Assembly four time. By calling for the total elimination of criminal and civil statutes of limitations on child sexual abuse, this new bill represents a significant expansion of previous legislation. Next stop: the State Senate where Senator Brad Hoylman has now introduced CVA in that house, as S6367. Everyone can help right now by contacting your own local Member of the Assembly and State Senate to ask them, as a constituent, to support A1771A and S6367.
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