COMING FORWARD AS A VICTIM OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE IN NEW YORK

The New York Child Victims Act is now law.  It is great news for victims but it also creates many new issues for these same people.  Prior to passage of the CVA, victims had to file their civil cases before they turned 23 years old.  Of course, most survivors of child sexual abuse did not meet this overly restrictive deadline.  Having no legal recourse, many victims have spent decades trying to move on and suppress these memories.  Now seemingly overnight, anyone who was sexually abused as a child in New York and the ability to file a civil lawsuit and seek some measure of justice.  I am hearing from many survivors who are dealing with these raw emotions for the first time in years.  Processing these feelings is difficult and requires patience and support.  I recommend that victims talk to family, friends and professionals to help them process these feelings.  As an attorney representing victims in these cases, I think the most important thing I can do and listen and explain options.