To the Editor:
Passage of the Child Victims Act was long overdue, and I am proud to have co-sponsored this important legislation.
Justice demands that abusers be held accountable for the devastating impacts they have had on the lives of victims, and beginning Aug. 14, child victims of abuse, regardless of their current age, will have a one-year window in which to file civil lawsuits against their abusers.
I have full confidence that our court system is up to the task of trying these cases and holding perpetrators accountable.
NYS Senator Jen Metzger
42nd Senate District
Background on Senate Bill S.2440:
In January, the New York State Legislature passed the Child Victims Act and in February, the Governor signed the bill into law.
While the law has statutes of limitations moving forward, it also allows victims of any age to file civil lawsuits against their abusers between Aug. 14, 2019, and Aug. 14, 2020, in order to provide the opportunity to seek justice for those who were previously barred from bringing forward these lawsuits.
After the one-year window, victims 55 and under will be able to file a civil suit against their alleged abusers, and victims 28 and under can file felony charges.