Action Alert: Pass Child Victims Act of NY - Urge NYS Legislature and Governor Paterson

Reminder from NOW New York State and NYS Assemblywoman Markey

Urge the New York State Legislature to pass and Governor Paterson to pass
Child Victims Act of New York (A2596/S2568)

Take Action

A special request has come to us from Assemblywoman Markey. In her letter, she states,
"It is important that legislators throughout the state be aware that New Yorkers want to see this bill become law in 2009. When they hear from thousands of New Yorkers who are members, supporters, friends and colleagues of organizations like yours, they will understand that it is essential that the child Victims' Act become law in 2009. Thank you for your help in making this happen." Sincerely, Margaret Markey Member of NY Assembly

The Child Victims Act (Assembly Bill A02596, Senate Bill Number A2568) is designed to right the years of injustice which have been suffered in silence by victims of child sexual abuse. The Act extends the civil statute of limitations (SOL) by effectively delaying the time at which it begins to run until the age of twenty-three. This effectively extends the SOL until the victim is twenty-eight in civil cases.

One in four women are reported to have been abused as children.

More importantly, the Act creates a window much like the California window in 2003 that will open 60 days after the Act becomes law and remains open for one year. This will allow those who were shut out of the courts by the woefully short SOL to seek the justice that has been denied.

The Child Victims Act has been introduced and succeeded in the New York State Assembly three times (in 2006, 2007, and 2008 sessions). Yet, its companion bill in the Senate has not been allowed to reach the floor for a full vote! Please contact your representative, both Assemblyperson and Senator, to encourage them to place the protection of the interests of the children and the victims first.

At the same time, you can choose 5 local media outlets to send this lettter.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)