New York state legislators yesterday passed the Child Victims Act. The new measure extends the period of time in which both civil suits and criminal charges can be brought in cases of child abuse. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said he will sign the act into law in the coming days.
The act, versions which had been passed by the state assembly six times over the last twelve years, was given approval by the state senate for the first time on January 28, passing 63-0.
The act allows for victims of child abuse to bring civil charges against their abuser until the age of 55, previously this had been 23. Criminal prosecutions can be brought up to the age of 28.
