Push to Pass Fair Child Victims Act on Again in New York State

Victims of sexual abuse, lawmakers rally in support of Child Victims Act

By Anya Tucker, ABC

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — At the Capitol Wednesday, victims of sexual abuse and lawmakers gathered to support a law to protect children from predators.

Supporters of the Omnibus Child Victims Act gathered outside the Senate, rallying in support of the bill that would among other things, eliminate the statute of limitations on sex crimes.

Spearheading the effort is Gary Greenberg, who says he was victimized by serial child molester Louis VanWie in 1966, but due to the statute, Greenberg was never able to seek justice in the courts.

“This is why we need the Child Victims Act,” Greenberg said. “This is a poster case why this state is so far behind other states.

As we look to the new session, we have to make it our top priority,” Senate bill sponsor Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said at a rally in front of the Senate chamber.

But while Gov. Cuomo has said passage of the Child Victims Act will be a priority for him in 2017, it’s fate is still uncertain.

Heartless politicians still stand in way

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County) said it’s too early to tell if it will be brought up for a vote this year.

And neither he, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, or any of the other legislative leaders, mentioned the issue as they outlined their legislative priorities.

Of course not! Neither of them want to displease their backers. They would rather throw child sex victims to the wolves than see justice done to their benefactors. Inevitably, it means they represent their own interests not those of the people of New York State.

Supporters of the measure hoped to jump-start the issue Wednesday with lawmakers returning for the first time this year.

Among the victims who attended the rally held outside the Senate chambers shortly before the start of the new legislative session was former model Nikki DuBose, who was sexually abused as a kid.

“New York needs this bill for one reason —to protect children from predators.The predators are the ones currently being protected by the law, not the children,” she said.

Former model Nikki DuBose rallies for Child Victims Act  (JEFFERSON SIEGEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Hoylman (D-Manhattan) noted a vote that would have allowed the bill to the floor for a vote last year lost by a single vote. Hoylman’s bill would eliminate the time limit that an abuse victim can bring a case against his or her attacker. Under current law, a person has until their 23rd birthday.

His bill would also provide a one-year window to revive old cases, and treat public and private institutions the same. Currently, someone abused at a school or other public institution must file a notice of intent to sue within 90 days of the incident.

The measure lost its long-time sponsor in the Assembly after long-time Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens) lost a primary in September.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) said she is hoping to pick up the bill.

“Enough is enough,” Rosenthal said of the lack of action. “Our law right now allows child rapists to walk free while vicitms must beat the proverbial clock.”