Webinar on Need to Reform NY State's Antiquated Statutes of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse

Failed Messiah
April 8, 2014

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2014/04/webinar-on-need-to-reform-ny-states-statutes-of-limitations-of-child-sex-abuse-345.html

MS. FOUNDATION AND DOWNSTATE CRIME VICTIMS COALITON

PRESENT APRIL 10 EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR ON NEED TO REFORM

NY’S ANTIQUATED CHILD SEX ABUSE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

Female survivors are focus of on-line event featuring Assemblywoman Markey, whose Child Victims Act bill seeks to remove criminal and civil SOLs for childhood sex abuse

The Ms. Foundation for Women, in partnership with the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition, is putting technology to work to reach a statewide audience of victim services and other professionals who provide support and counseling for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse,



The April 10 webinar, featuring Ms. Foundation Senior Strategist Julie F. Kay, and others, plus Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, sponsor of the Child Victims Act of New York, will present national experts on childhood sexual abuse and the movement to reform the statute of limitations on these offenses in New York State.

The program, “Female Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Access to Justice,” seeks to educate professionals and advocates about the urgent need to reform antiquated criminal and civil statute of limitations codes in New York State, which currently require victims to report these offenses within five years after the victim turns 18. The Markey legislation (Assembly bill A1771A), would completely eliminate these statutes of limitations and also provide a one-year civil suspension to permit older victims of abuse to get justice.

Assemblywoman Markey, explaining why current statute of limitations codes in New York are inadequate, said: “Research consistently shows that survivors of childhood sexual abuse do not come to terms with what happened to them until later in life, often not until middle age. Providing more time for them to come forward not only provides justice for those who have been victimized, but will also expose pedophiles who remain hidden because of current law.”

Ms. Foundation’s Julie F. Kay said: “Media focus on incidents of abuse that occurred in institutions such as Penn State, the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts can give the false impression that child sexual abuse victims are pri­marily male and that most abuse occurs in institutional settings. In reality, girls make up 86 percent of child sexual abuse victims and they, too, need access to jus­tice. Short statutes of limitations deny survivors and society the opportunity to hold perpetrators accountable for the damage they have caused.”

Other speakers will include Cardozo Law School Professor Marci Hamilton, an author and leading expert on statute of limitations rules across America; Michael Polenberg of Safe Horizon and co-chair of the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition; and Susan Xenarios, founder and director of the Crime Victims Treatment Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Co-Chair of the Downstate Coalition and a member of the NYS Crime Victims Board Advisory Council; and Mary Haviland, Executive Director of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

Professor Hamilton will discuss the movement underway in many states across the nation to reform or eliminate similarly inadequate statutes of limitations. She said: “Survivors of abuse need access to justice. This webinar will educate on why and how we can increase access to justice, support survivors, and identify child predators.”

Michael Polenberg, Vice President, Government Affairs, said: “As the nation’s leading victim assistance organization, Safe Horizon is acutely aware of the trauma and pain that childhood sexual abuse can inflict on survivors throughout their lives. We applaud Assembly Member Marge Markey for championing legislation that would give adult survivors of these heinous crimes more avenues to seek justice, and we look forward to educating New Yorkers about the merits of this legislation through the April 10th webinar.”

Mary Haviland , Executive Director, said: “The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault supports the Child Victims Act because this legislation allows survivors of child sexual assault access to justice and stops perpetrators from harming more victims. We recognize the enormous harm of child sexual abuse and support Assemblymember Marge Markey's tireless efforts to protect children from this crime.”

Susan Xenarios, Co-Chair with Michael Pollenberg of the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition, said: “The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is astonishing. However, the greater tragedy is that we have failed to protect our children who often have no voice. These heinous crimes have long term psychological and destructive manifestations that severely impact not only the victim but their families and our communities. The time for New York State to take a stand to give these victims access to Justice is overdue. We wholeheartedly support the Child Victims Act as a major step in making a difference for the rights of children and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse..”

The April 10 webinar is the first in a series of events over the coming weeks in support of the Child Victims Act of New York. The Ms. Foundation for Women and the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition will hold a press conference later this month to introduce organizations serving female survivors that are announcing their support for the legislation. On May 13 supporters and advocates for the Child Victims Act will hold a Lobby Day for the bill in Albany to reach out to legislators. Assemblywoman Markey’s Child Victims Act has been adopted by the Assembly four times since it was first introduced, but has not yet made it to the floor of the State Senate for a vote.

For information about joining the April 10 webinar, contact Beatrice L. Abreu at the Ms. Foundation for Women at babreu@ms.foundation.org. Telephone 212-709-4455.