ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Advocates and survivors are traveling New York State spreading the word about the new Child Victims Act.
Tuesday evening in Ithaca, advocates and the Tompkins County District Attorney explained changes in the statutes of limitations.
The advocates from Zero Abuse Project and New York Loves Kids said the most urgent change is the one-year ‘look-back’ window. It allows adult survivors younger than age 55 to file civil suits against their abusers and any responsible institution.
Before the new law, the statute of limitations expired at age twenty-three.
Kristi Taylor, who’s with the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, says a civil suit might not be the right path for everyone, but it’s an important option.
"This law provides another option," she said, "another avenue for survivors to potentially find some accountability which may help with some healing."
Taylor said the majority of the calls to their child abuse hotline are about sexual abuse.
The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County 24-hour hotline number is 607-277-5000.