PCANY Supports Legislation to Extend the Statute of Limitations for Sex Offenses

Sex crimes, particularly those committed against children, are among the most heinous in our society, and leave life-long mental, emotional, and physical scars on their victims.

Most victims of child sexual abuse are victimized by someone known to them, often a family member, over a long period of time. By virtue of the trauma involved, most victims do not disclose at the time of abuse. Instead, the abuse comes to light years later after the victim feels safe enough or emotionally able to disclose the abuse.

Currently in New York State, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have only three years after age 18 to bring a civil claim against their abusers. This period is too short. Many survivors are unable or unwilling to bring claims until they are emotionally and financially free from the perpetrator. Often, this does not occur until long after age 21.

Therefore, Prevent Child Abuse New York urges passage of A. 4560-B (Markey, Lentol, et al.) / S. 4614-A (Saland).

This proposal would extend the authority to prosecute and to bring a civil lawsuit for damages in child sexual abuse cases and provide a remedy for those whose lives have been unalterably changed by the horror of childhood sexual abuse.

By extending the time to seek justice to a five-year window that does not begin until the victim turns 23, victims of these horrific crimes will be able to seek the justice they have been denied.

Summary, status, text, sponsor's memo can be found through a Bill No. search at http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi