ALBANY (NY)
New York Daily News
July 28, 2019
By Denis Slattery
Survivors of child sex abuse will soon have a new opportunity to seek justice.
The recently enacted Child Victims Act dramatically changed the legal landscape in New York State, empowering those who were subjected to sexual abuse at a young age and offering them new ways make things right.
Child victims of abuse are now able to seek criminal prosecution against an abuser until the age of 28, an increase from the old age limit of 23. In civil cases, victims can seek prosecution until they turn 55.
The law also opens up a one-year window that begins Aug. 14 allowing victims older than 23 to sue their abuser or any institution that helped to cover up the offense — regardless of how long ago the act occurred.
Advocates and lawmakers are launching a concerted effort to ensure survivors are aware of their options as the window approaches.
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