“As a mother, it breaks my heart when children are victimized and preyed upon by those in power, but it’s an all-too-common reality. The aftermath of this trauma can take years to acknowledge, let alone speak out about. When victims take that brave step to come forward, they deserve to be heard and supported.

“The Child Victims Act, which I co-sponsored and helped pass, would give victims of childhood sexual abuse more time to file criminal charges or bring a civil case against their abuser by extending the statutes of limitation (A.2683). The bill would treat public and private entities equally under the law, require additional training for judges and establish a one-year ‘look-back window’ for past victims to commence a civil action.

“We cannot erase the pain these victims have lived through, but we can make sure they have their day in court. By removing barriers to justice, we can help them turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives.”