March 6, 2017
On March 1, 2017, Safe Horizon’s Vice President of Government Affairs Michael Polenberg helped lead a robust day of advocacy in Albany in support of the Child Victim Act, a bill that would increase avenues to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Survivors and advocates from across New York State gathered in Albany to meet with lawmakers and urge them to support this long-overdue legislation. In addition, Mr. Polenberg led a press conference that included the bill’s sponsors – Senator Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal – as well as adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who called for an end to the obstructions that have stymied the bill in past years.
Leading the Way in Child Victim Act Advocacy
In meetings with legislators, survivors and advocates noted how New York’s antiquated statute of limitation laws for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in many cases create insurmountable barriers to justice and healing and allow too many of those who abuse children to run out the clock on being held accountable for their actions.
The Child Victim Act would bring much-needed reform to New York’s laws, by:
- Eliminating the civil and criminal statute of limitations prospectively;
- Eliminating the notice of claim for public institutions to create parity with private institutions; and
- Creating a civil “window” – at least one year in length – that allows survivors over the age of 23 to pursue justice retroactively.
With the support of dozens of State lawmakers and Governor Cuomo, advocates and survivors are hopeful that this will be the year the Child Victim Act finally passes.
Stand up for Survivors of Child Sex Abuse
At Safe Horizon, we believe in empowering victims of violence and abuse with hope and healing. We touch the lives of 250,000 victims of violence each year, including child victims of sexual and physical abuse.
If you believe that survivors of child sexual abuse should be afforded the opportunity to pursue justice in our courts, and that abusers should not be able to simply run out the clock on being held responsible for their actions, sign our pledge.
