Repeal of Statute of Limitations for Sex Abuse

WKBW
February 6, 2015

http://www.wkbw.com/news/lawmaker-repeal-of-statute-of-limitations-for-sex-abuse

[with video]

A State Senator is speaking out on behalf of adults who say they were victims of sexual assault years or even decades ago.

Marc Panepinto (D-Buffalo) says New York is one of the worst states in the country to help survivors of childhood sexual assault. He stood side by side with two victims on Friday morning, calling for a repeal of the statute of limitations for sexual abuse against minors.

Hear more from this man and woman about their claims here

Under current law, adults in New York that have been sexually abused must make a claim by the age of 23.

Victims say that in some cases, that is not enough time. Advocates say there may be too much trauma, fear and repressed memories for the victim to feel he or she can come forward.

Vanessa DeRosa says she was sexually abused by a teacher at a Catholic school at the age of 13. She came forward with her abuse story at the age of 25.

"I was dealing with issues going on as a result of what happened previously," DeRosa said. "It's not fair to tell people that you only have a certain amount of time to come forward for something like this.

Tino Flores also spoke out, saying he repressed many of the sexual abuse memories for years. Flores says a priest abused him.

Both DeRosa and Flores have asked the Pope to investigate sexual abuse within the Buffalo Diocese.

A Cardozo Law School study lists New York as one of the worst states in its treatment of adults who survived sexual assault as children.

Panepinto says 45 states have longer statutes of limitations than New York for childhood sexual assault victims to come forward.

The idea of eliminating the statute of limitations or giving victims a longer window to file a claim has passed in the Assembly several years in a row. However, it has never reached the floor of the Senate.