Cuomo Signs the Child Victims Act

Governor Cuomo has fulfilled his promise to sign the Child Victims Act within the first 100 days of the new legislative session. The legislation ensures those who abuse children are held accountable criminally and civilly and that survivors of childhood sexual abuse have a path to justice.  This bill will provide relief to child victims of sexual abuse by amending New York’s laws to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions, regardless of when the crime occurred. Under current law, child sexual abuse offenses cannot be prosecuted after five years from their occurrence and civil lawsuits for this conduct must be brought within three years from the victim’s 18th birthday.