Albany, NY – At long last, a bitter fight for justice on behalf of survivors of childhood sex abuse has come to a successful finish. The Child Victims Act, which Assemblyman Dinowitz has supported since its first introduction in 2006, bitterly divided legislators who faced severe pressure from institutions seeking to protect themselves from an expected onslaught of legal expenses resulting from decades of covered-up abuse scandals. A compromise bill was passed Monday by both chambers of the legislature which accomplishes many of the goals long-espoused by advocates and allows more victims of childhood sexual abuse to face their abusers in a court of law.

The approved bill, which is expected to quickly be signed by the Governor, makes the following important changes:

• The statute of limitations for filing criminal action in cases of child sex abuse now begins at age 23, five years later than the previous statute which began at 18.
• The statute of limitations for filing civil action in cases of childhood sex abuse now expires at age 55
• Victims of childhood sex abuse previously barred from commencing legal action will be offered a one-year window to do so, beginning six months after the bill becomes law and expires eighteen months after the bill becomes law
• Public and private institutions will be treated equally under the law with respect to legal actions brought by childhood sex abuse victims

The Child Victims Act was first introduced in June 2006 and was passed overwhelmingly by the Assembly a mere two weeks later, with the Assembly approving versions of the bill again in 2007 and 2008. Despite clear and evident support from the Assembly, the State Senate never had the requisite 32 votes to pass the legislation due to several Democratic State Senators with deep religious ties that also blocked controversial bills such as the Reproductive Health Act, GENDA, and more.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D - Northwest Bronx) said: “I am incredibly proud that New York State will finally allow justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Thank you to my former colleague Assemblywoman Marge Markey, who first introduced this bill thirteen years ago and fought nearly every year to get it passed, and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who took up the mantle and got this bill over the finish line. The New York State Assembly has carried the fight for justice and societal progress for many years, and it is tremendously exciting to see our longstanding efforts finally come to fruition.”