For years the Republican leaders of the state Senate have blocked a bill intended to make it easier for molestation victims to sue their abusers. Now, backers of that proposal are confident the bill could soon pass after Democrats flipped the chamber.
"It is a new day for survivors of child sexual abuse in New York State," read a joint statement from a broad coalition of survivors and advocacy organizations. "For the first time, we have a partner in the state Senate that can and will commit to passing the Child Victims Act. ... We anticipate swift action."
The statement was signed by groups including Safe Horizon, the Stop Abuse Campaign, the Foundation for Survivors of Abuse, NY Loves Kids and the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
The legislation, known as the Child Victims Act, would extend the criminal and civil statutes of limitation for molestation going forward, and create a one-year window allowing victims to sue over abuse claims now barred by the statute of limitations. The Catholic Church has long opposed the last provision, arguing that allowing civil suits over decades-old incidents could bankrupt any large institution that deals with children.
Republicans have long blocked the bill from getting a vote and suggested alternative bills that come without the look-back window, a deal-breaker for many supporters.
