Skip To Content
Quick Escape
Working to create a world free of violence & abuse
Contact Us  /  Signup

Vera House Celebrates Passage of New York's Child Victims Act Legislation

Vera House Celebrates Passage of New York's Child Victims Act Legislation

Vera House has advocated for the passage of the Child Victims Act for over 12 years. Justice is finally being offered to countless survivors of child sexual abuse with the passage of this important legislation on Monday, January 28th. 

Child Victims Act Highlights

This bill will:

  • Increase the start of the 5-year statute of limitation for a survivor of child sexual abuse to file criminal prosecution to begin at age 23 versus the prior age of 18
  • Increase the statute of limitation for a survivor of child sexual abuse to file a civil action against the abuser and/or the institution to age 55
  • Eradicate the barrier of filing a notice of claim or a notice of intention to file a claim, and have served within 90 days of the incident, as a condition precedent to bringing a civil action against a private or public institution
  • Allow a one-year “revival” window for survivors of child sexual abuse to take civil action against the abuser and/or the institution, set to commence 6 months from the effective date of the act. This includes:
    • Civil actions previously dismissed due to being time-barred
    • Civil actions previously dismissed due to failure to file a notice of claim or a notice of intention to file a claim
    • Requires the Office of Court Administration to provide training for judges concerning crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors

For more information pertaining to the Child Victims Act legislation, please contact:
Jolie Moran 
Director of Advocacy 
(315) 425-0818 x2207
jmoran@verahouse.org 

or

Amanda Eyeam
Prevention Educator
(315) 425-0818 x2228
aeyeam@verahouse.org

 

A Message to Andrew Cuomo

“The Friends of Andrew Cuomo” spent over $300,000 to launch an ad campaign designed to paint former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a victim of political attacks because of the sexual harassment claims against him. We cannot allow this gaslighting to continue while the ad revictimizes victims of not only Cuomo’s sexual harassment but ANYONE who has ever experienced abuse. The tactics used by Cuomo and his supporters further represent the barriers that survivors face every day that prevent them from coming forward and getting support. 

 

We at Vera House have asked Andrew Cuomo to take accountability for the harm he has caused on multiple occasions. Instead of admitting to his wrongdoings, he continues to use power and control to suppress and invalidate the truths of the survivors.  Today we released a video, produced by Solon Quinn Studios and supported by Survivors’ Network, that sends a powerful message to survivors, "I believe you."  

 

We are asking you to help us amplify the video so that survivors throughout New York and the rest of the world know that we believe and stand with them. 

 

Here’s how to get involved:  

1. Share our post on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter  

2. Engage with our content on Instagram and TikTok   

3. Share survivor support resources from your organization  

4. Tag @verahouseinc  

 

For any questions or to request an interview with a member of Survivors' Network, please contact us at: communications@verahouse.org