Markey statute of limitations extension for sex abuse

Assemblywoman Margaret Markey called on the Senate to pass legislation giving victims of child sexual assault longer to seek justice by extending the statute of limitations for criminal and civil actions for these offenses.
Representatives from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) attended a press conference in Albany supporting the legislation, which is part of the Assembly’s tough and comprehensive “Child Safety and Sexual Predator Punishment and Confinement Strategy.”
“When it comes to sexual assault, no person is above the law,” Markey said. “In too many cases, the existing timeframe limits have done nothing but protect criminals, leaving them free to harm more children instead of being brought to justice. When a sex predator is shielded from prosecution for evil deeds done years ago, they remain a threat.”
Currently, the criminal statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases where victims do not report the crime is not applied until the victim turns 18. Under the new legislation that Markey sponsored, an additional five years would be added so that the five-year statute of limitations would not begin until the victim is 23. Therefore, victims would have until they are 28 to seek prosecution on these incidents. The Senate is still debating this legislation and has not acted on it yet.
“As adults, these survivors of sexual abuse need to know they can come forward and seek criminal and civil remedies for the harms they have experienced and continue to experience throughout their lives,” said Anne Liske, NYSCASA executive director.
In addition to this push, the Assembly passed legislation eliminating the criminal and civil statute of limitations for most serious sex crimes as part of what it hopes will be a comprehensive package to protect New Yorkers from sexual predators.
“The pain and suffering caused by child sexual assault is an issue which has left many victims struggling to recover,” said Markey. “We must help make their lives whole again.”