Child Victims Act gets one-year extension, giving child sex abuse survivors more time to sue

The civil courts were closed for months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, so the State Legislature has decided to grant the survivors of child sexual abuse more time to file lawsuits under the Child Victims Act by extending it for another year.

After the Legislature passed the extension with a veto-proof vote, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law on Monday.

“Today, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders reaffirmed their commitment to justice for decades of heinous abuse committed by the most trusted members of society,” said James Marsh, a New York attorney who represents more than 700 victims statewide. “The Child Victims Act was a turning point for so many who have called for accountability, and today, we have a message for the predators and their enablers: Time is up.”