Child sexual abuse vics get more time to file civil suits

ALBANY — Survivors of childhood sexual assault will have an additional 12 months to file civil suits against their alleged abusers — no matter how long ago the incident occurred.

Gov. Cuomo on Monday signed an extension of part of the Child Victims Act, providing a “lookback” window for victims to file lawsuits beyond statute of limitations restrictions.

The measure, passed by the Legislature 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 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.

It also initially allowed civil cases alleging child sexual abuse to be filed through Aug. 14, 2020, regardless of how long ago the incident is claimed to have taken place.

Due to COVID-19’s impact on the court system, Cuomo issued an executive order in early May extending the civil lookback window until Jan. 14, 2021.

The new measure extends that window until August of next year.

“The Child Victims Act brought a long-needed pathway to justice for people who were abused, and helps right wrongs that went unacknowledged and unpunished for far too long, and we cannot let this pandemic limit the ability for survivors to have their day in court,” the governor said.