May 29, 2015
A child sex abuse report recently detailed that from the 1960s to ’90s, more than 60 students were sexually abused by 22 school employees at the Horace Mann School in the Bronx.
The study was conducted by the Horace Mann Action Coalition, a nonprofit group founded by alumni of the school.
Unfortunately, no charges were ever filed as the result of this report because all those cases fell outside New York State statute of limitations for pursuing civil or criminal damages.
The report is not only a shocking reminder that sexual abuse of children can happen anywhere, but that our legal system is flawed in protecting these victims.
It also stands to emphasize the importance of Child Victims Act.
“We owe it to each and every adult survivor to ensure our laws hold offenders accountable, provide appropriate relief in civil and criminal proceedings, and help protect our children in every corner of the State” said Safe Horizon’s Vice President of Government Affairs Michael Polenberg. “Now, more than ever, the New York State legislature must pass the Child Victims Act into law.”
Currently, adult survivors are prohibited from seeking justice once they turn 24 years old. The Child Victims Act will eliminate the statute of limitations for additional felony-level sex crimes against children, and will create a one-year “window” to allow adult survivors to bring civil charges against their offenders.
We firmly believe that those who prey on children should not simply be able to run out the clock when it comes to facing justice.