Child Victims Act

The New York Child Victims Act (CVA) was enacted to provide survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a clearer path to justice, even if the statute of limitations had previously expired. 

History of the NY Child Victims Act

• Introduction and Enactment: The CVA was introduced to address the limitations survivors faced due to the statute of limitations. It was passed by the New York Legislature on January 28, 2019, and signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on February 14, 2019.
• Purpose: The CVA aims to give survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to seek justice, recognizing that many survivors take years to come forward due to the trauma they experienced.

What the CVA Does

• Lookback Window: The CVA provided a one-year “lookback window” from August 14, 2019, to August 14, 2020, during which survivors could file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred. This window was later extended to August 14, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Extended Statute of Limitations: It extends the statute of limitations for civil actions related to child sexual abuse to 55 years of age. For criminal cases, survivors can press charges until they turn 28.
• Scope: The CVA covers a wide range of sexual offenses against children, including rape, sexual abuse, and incest. It allows survivors to sue not only the perpetrators but also institutions that may have enabled the abuse.

If you or someone you know is considering taking action under the CVA, consulting with an experienced attorney can be a crucial step towards seeking justice and healing.