Corey’s here for justice
To lobby Albany for kid vics law – & it’s personal
ALBANY — Actor Corey Feldman, who says he was sexually abused as a child, is heading to the state Capitol on Wednesday to push state Senate Republicans to pass a bill that would make it easier for survivors in New York to seek justice as adults.
The star of “The Goonies” and “Stand by Me” is set to be joined by former USA Volleyball player Sarah Powers-Barnhard, who was one of at least six underage girls who charged in a classaction lawsuit that they were abused by Illinois coach Rick Butler.
Feldman and Powers-Barnhard (photo inset, left) will take part in a press conference with advocates to push the Senate GOP to allow a vote on the Child Victims Act this year and then lobby various lawmakers in their offices.
“As a survivor of child sex abuse and whose best friend lost his life over this, I have made it my life’s mission to help others find justice,” Feldman said in a statement to the Daily News.
Feldman has maintained for many years that he and best pal Corey Haim were victims of a pedophilia ring as child stars in the ’80s. Haim died of pneumonia in 2010 at 38.
Feldman took direct aim at Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (photo inset, right) and the Senate Republicans for refusing in previous years to allow the Child Victims Act to come to the floor for a vote.
“Even though New York has some of the worst laws for victims in the nation, Majority Leader Flanagan and state Senate Republicans continue to put the protection of sexual predators over innocent children,” Feldman said. “There is no excuse for their disgraceful obstruction.”
Feldman noted that different polls show New Yorkers, including Republicans, overwhelmingly support the Child Victims Act, with a Quinnipiac University poll finding 90% back it.
Gov. Cuomo this year for the first time included the measure in his budget proposal, meaning it can be removed only if the Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats refuse to negotiate a final deal that includes the measure and the governor acquiesces.
Cuomo’s proposal would allow survivors to bring civil cases up to 50 years after an attack and would eliminate the statute of limitations entirely for any felony sexual offense committed against someone under the age of 18. Under current law, someone sexually abused as a child has until their 23rd birthday to bring a case.
Cuomo’s plan would also treat public and private institutions the same when it comes to child sex abuse and create a one-year window to revive old cases. That provision is vehemently opposed by groups like the Catholic Church.
The Assembly passed different versions of the victims bill several times over the past dozen years, including in 2017. But it's never come up for a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate.
“It’s time for Senate Republicans to stop playing politics,” Feldman said. “Along with CHILD USA and New Yorkers Against Hidden Predators, we are going to make sure Flanagan and his colleagues hear us loud and clear.”
Feldman in December announced he has joined CHILD USA as a national ambassador talking about the child sex abuse issue and has agreed to support the organization’s efforts to get the Child Victims Act passed in New York. Wednesday will be the first time he has traveled to Albany to push for the measure.
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif had no comment. Advocates are waiting to see how, and if, the Senate Republicans address the issue when they unveil their response to Cuomo’s state budget proposal this week.