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	Activists, Some Lawmakers Push for Statute of Limitations Reform WSYR December 9, 2011 http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Activists-some-lawmakers-push-for-statute-of/hCZ1THIE0kKhorHqMF3Oxg.cspx [with video] Syracuse (WSYR-TV)- In light of the news that the Onondaga County District Attorney can’t pursue criminal charges against Bernie Fine, child advocate groups are calling for a change in state law. Right now, the statute of limitations in New York requires a victim to report child sex abuse before they turn 23. After that, an abuser is off the hook. Recent proposals to give victims more time to come forward have failed to become law. Just steps away from Syracuse University, survivors of childhood sex abuse and their supporters are pushing for change – arguing that laws should protect victims and not predators. “Rape and murder in New York State have no statute of limitations – as does parking tickets. But for the sexual abuse of a child, that has to be reported before the age of 23,” said Richard Tollner of the New York Coalition to Protect Children. Advocates argue that the statute of limitations paves the way for abusers to get away with their crimes. "We need to do everything we can both on the prevention side of child abuse on the legislative side from the perspective of providing prosecutors additional tools they need to prosecute,” said State Senator Dave Valesky. “When an individual is charged 10, 15, 20 years later, you can imagine how hard it would be for someone to defend themselves against the charge,” said State Senator John DeFrancisco. “When people that may have been exonerating that person are no longer alive – no longer able to be found – no longer available to testify at trial. " Child advocates have said proposals to extend the statute in the past have failed because of powerful Catholic Church and insurance industry lobbyists. It is important to note that not all forms of child sex abuse have limitations – some are unlimited and include crimes that involve sex with children.
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