NEW YORK (NY)
Daily News
August 3 2020
By Denis Slattery
Albany – Survivors of childhood sexual assault will have another 12 months to file civil suits against their alleged abuser — no matter how long ago the incident occurred.
Gov. Cuomo on Monday signed an extension of part of the Child Victims Act providing a “look back” window for victims to file lawsuits beyond statue of limitations restrictions.
The measure, passed by the Legislature back in May, comes after the coronavirus pandemic led to a reduction in court services and limited the ability of survivors to file suits.
“The Child Victims Act has allowed more than 3,000 brave survivors to come forward to seek justice,” said sponsor Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan). “Yet it’s clear many New Yorkers who survived child sexual abuse haven’t come forward — especially during the COVID-19 crisis which has upended our courts and economy.”
The Child Victims Act went into effect last August after being stalled in Albany for more than a decade. The legislation upended the legal landscape by allowing victims of abuse to seek criminal prosecution against an abuser until the age of 28, an increase from the prior age limit of 23. In civil cases, victims can seek prosecution until they turn 55.
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