New York legislators are seeking changes to the Child Victims Act after the state’s top court dismissed a lawsuit due to insufficient details. The ruling exposed a legal gap preventing survivors from holding the state accountable for abuse in public institutions.
Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who sponsored the law, plan to revise the legal standards, ensuring survivors aren’t required to recall specific details like dates and locations. Advocates argue that trauma often obscures such memories, and cases should be decided by a jury.
Lawmakers may also push for a permanent removal of the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases. The decision affects around 300 lawsuits against the state, with most CVA cases targeting private institutions. Discussions on legislative fixes are just beginning.
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