I’LL FIGHT FOR KID SEX-ABUSE VICTIMS
Cuomo vows to end time limit on prosecutions against pervs
Gov. Cuomo, as he concludes his State of the State tour Wednesday, pledges to protect kids, not predators.
ALBANY — Stepping up to the plate for child sex-abuse survivors, Gov. Cuomo weighed in Wednesday for the first time with his own plan to help victims seek legal recourse as adults.
Cuomo’s version of the Child Victims Act would do away entirely with the statute of limitations on prosecutions of those who abused children.
It would also allow victims to bring civil lawsuits for 50 years from when their attacks took place and would open up a oneyear lookback window for survivors who under current law can no longer bring cases.
In addition, the plan would treat public and private institutions the same by doing away with a current requirement that gives those abused in a public school or other public entity only 90 days from the attack to notify of their intent to sue. They otherwise would have until their 23rd birthday.
Cuomo included his plan in a book outlining his 2017 agenda.
“Child victims are one of the most vulnerable populations of this state,” Cuomo wrote. “The outdated laws of New York do not adequately address the needs of these young victims.”
“These survivors deserve justice, plain and simple,” Cuomo told the Daily News. “Giving victims the opportunity to advance their claims in court is the right thing to do, and I urge the Legislature to join me and pass this measure once and for all.”
Cuomo has told advocates and The News, which championed the issue in 2016, that the Child Victims Act would be a priority for him this year.
Long-frustrated advocates reacted with appreciation.
Gary Greenberg, a child sexabuse victim to who created a political action committee to fight for the Child Victims Act, praised Cuomo for “his courage to stand up for victims of child sex abuse” and called on legislative leaders to pass the proposal.
In spotlighting how many former child victims are denied justice, The News documented that predators range from family members and athletic coaches to neighbors, teachers and clergy of numerous denominations.
But even with Cuomo onboard, the fate of an issue that has stalled in Albany for more than a decade remains uncertain.
Senate Republicans, some legislative Democrats and religious organizations have particularly opposed a one-year window to revive old cases. They argue it’s unfair to the accused given that memories tend to fade over time and could bankrupt religious and other organizations.
At the same time, public schools, teachers and local governments who hold great sway in Albany have in the past opposed the idea of eliminating the requirement that sex-abuse victims file a notice of intent to sue within 90 days of their attacks.
Dennis Poust, a spokesman for the New York State Catholic Conference headed by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, said church officials want to see the details of what Cuomo is proposing, but reiterated that the conference opposes a one-year lookback.
That opposition remains in place even after Dolan set up a program to compensate people sexually abused as children that covers those who can no longer sue under the law.
The Catholic Conference has supported the elimination of the criminal statute of limitation on child sex-abuse cases and extending the civil time frame.
State Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat who is the sponsor of a comprehensive Child Victims Act bill, said he is “heartened” to hear about Cuomo’s plan.
He called on the Republican leadership of the chamber to allow the measure to come to the floor for a vote.
“This will be a vote of conscience,” Hoylman said. “There’s nothing (more) important than seeing justice done, especially for our kids.”
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said “any proposal would need to be weighed by the members of our conference.”
Asked about Cuomo’s plan, Assembly Democratic spokesman Michael Whyland said, “It’s an important issue and we look forward to having productive conversations so we can help victims.”