Child Victims Act will protect children

It’s time for a movement on a global scale for the most innocent and vulnerable members of society — our children. We witnessed a global #Metoo movement where we came together as a society to support women who experienced abuse by sexual predators. Who is protecting our children?

New York has subpoenaed eight Roman Catholic dioceses in the state as part of a sex abuse investigation. The New York subpoenas follow the recent grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania exposing horrific allegations of sexual abuse of children by bishops and other leaders of the church as well as a massive cover-up of the abuse of minors. The New York subpoenas are part of an ongoing investigation into how New York dioceses may have covered up abuse allegations.

The catalog of abuse detailed in the Pennsylvania attorney general’s report was overwhelming in its impact on survivors of the abuse who have finally had their voices heard. Due to the inaction and affirmative cover-up of the allegations made by the victims of sexual assault within the church, the victims have undoubtedly suffered unimaginable psychological and physical impairabout ment that has forever altered their ability to live their lives.

Payouts with confidentiality clauses where victims sign away their rights to bring any type of lawsuit should be challenged. Statutes of limitation that preclude an older adult victim who has suffered past abuse to sue in adulthood should be challenged. New York must take action to pass the Child Victims Act to protect our children. Kathryn Saurack Barcroft, esq. Albany and New York City Special Counsel