Advocates Blast Gov. Cuomo for Not Backing Legislation to Extend Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Victims

By Dan Rivoli
New York Daily News
May 18, 2016

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/gov-cuomo-blasted-not-pushing-law-child-sex-abuse-vics-article-1.2640517

Advocates lashed out at Gov. Cuomo on Tuesday for failing to back proposed legislation that would extend the state’s statute of limitations regarding child sex abuse.

“Any passivity on this issue effectively defends child sexual predators,” said Kathryn Robb, an advocate who says she endured sexual abuse as a child. “It is very simple, the governor has a choice — stand with child sexual predators, defending them by supporting (the present statute of limitations), or stand with the children of New York, and defend them. It is that simple.”

Her withering words came in response to Cuomo’s mealy-mouthed answer to a simple question — why hasn’t he met with victims of sexual abuse advocating reform of state law governing charges against child-sex abusers?

Dorothy Robb Farrell, Kathryn Farrell, Ana Wagner and Stephen Jimenez (l. to r.), all survivors of childhood sexual abuse, are calling on Gov. Cuomo to step up for victims. (JEFFERSON SIEGEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

“I don’t believe that I’m not meeting with them,” he said. “And it’s a very important issue. I’m talking to the Legislature about it from a variety of opinions and perspectives.”

“It’s not only important, it’s also a very controversial issue. So I’m talking to all sides about it and we’ll see if we can get something done in this legislative session.”

Robb was one of the advocates who had met Monday with Cuomo’s staff during a whirlwind day of lobbying that yielded few satisfying answers.

“No, (Cuomo) is not meeting with survivors. I call on him to sit down with me,” said Robb, who is involved with Massachusetts Citizens for Children.

“What is controversial about justice and protecting children? I am happy to sit down and talk with the governor any time. I call on the governor to be the good leader he is, or to follow the other states who are bravely changing their (statute of limitations) laws for the sake of children.”

Currently, victims are only allowed to pursue criminal charges or civil claims prior to their 23rd birthday.

Advocates say Gov. Cuomo is failing them by failing to back legislation that would extend the state’s statute of limitations when it comes to child sex abuse. (SUSAN WATTS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Robb hopes any meeting with Cuomo will conclude with a more favorable result than the sitdowns with other Albany powerbrokers she has already had alongside fellow advocates.

A meeting with staffers for state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan revealed the Suffolk County Republican, who determines what legislation reaches the floor for a vote, is worried about a “slippery slope” should reform pass.

A meeting with Cuomo’s assistant legal counsel David Perino offered no clarification regarding the governor’s stance. And a meeting with staff for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) also proved inconclusive.

The survivors had tried to meet with Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie but were told Heastie had left for a meeting and was unavailable. (JEFFERSON SIEGEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

On Tuesday, Heastie’s stance on the issue — after weeks of coverage and advocacy — remained as vague as ever.

“We will discuss it with our members,” Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland said, repeating the same words he has used for the past several days.

He again declined to provide a time for when those discussions would take place.

Cuomo denied avoiding the victim advocates, saying that he's working with lawmakers "from a variety of opinions and perspectives." (SUSAN WATTS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

There are 13 days left in the current legislative session, which ends June 16.

There are several bills under consideration. One proposed by Queens Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) would end the statute of limitations on civil claims of child sex abuse. It would also allow a one-year lookback window to bring a civil suit for those whose statute of limitations had expired.

Another bill would extend the time in which victims can sue from age 23 to 28. A third would eliminate both the criminal and civil statutes of limitations and do away with requirement that a victim notify a public institution of an intent to sue within 90 days of the incident.