Willard report cited in push for reform of child sex abuse law

TROY, N.Y. >> Citing a report released last week that documented 60 years of sexual misconduct involving students and staff at Emma Willard School, a national organization is urging the state Senate to support a measure that would remove the statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse case.

The Stop Abuse Campaign is advocating for the passage of the Child Victims Act, which would allow victims over the age of 23 one year in which to identify their abuser in civil court. Officials with the group argue this means the majority of cases can’t be prosecuted and helps explain why experts estimate only 10 percent of those who sexually abuse children will ever see a day behind bars.

“Research shows most victims of child sexual abuse need years to disclose their abuse,” explained Melanie Blow, chief operations officer for the group. “In New York, the statute of limitation on the crime prevents them from pressing charges on their 23rd birthday, meaning there are lots of people with dangerous sexual attractions to children who are above the law and are working with children.”

Blow pointed to the Emma Willard report as an example of the limitations of current law. Despite detailing 55 separate incidents of inappropriate sexual behavior datting back to the late 1950s, the report, compiled by child protection experts from the Cozen O’Connor national law firm, says the majority of the complaints could not be prosecuted either because of the statute of limitations or because the behavior detailed in the report would not have been considered criminal at the time.

“New York’s laws place our children at risk, protecting child molestors and rapists instead of our children,” said Andrew Willis, CEO of the campaign. “It’s a binary choice: Protect the children or protect the predators that prey on them. This plague will continue unless we take action to stop it. How many more tragedies like Emma Willard School do we need?”

The Stop Abuse Campaign is dedicated to the prevention of adverse childhood experiences through public education and public policy. For more information on the group, visit http://stopabusecampaign.org.