Credit: Childusa.org
WHAT: S.477, the New Jersey bill to amend the child sex abuse statutes of limitations, is set to pass Monday May,13 2019. Key provisions of S.477 include:
- Extension of the civil statute of limitation to age 55 in child sex abuse cases, OR 7 years from discovery, whichever is later. Current law demands that the suit be filed within two years of the victim’s 18th birthday or two years after delayed discovery.
- Adult sex assault victims will have 7 years from victimization or 7 years from discovery, whichever is later
- Creation of a 2-year “window” during which victims whose civil claims have expired may file a civil lawsuit.
- Expand the categories of defendants who are liable in these cases to include nonprofit corporations, societies or associations organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes including its trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, servants or volunteers
“2019 is a banner year for statute of limitations (SOL) reform for child sex abuse victims. NY, NJ, and MT have already passed legislation and 38 states (and counting) are already considering expanding the statutes of limitation for access to justice for victims,” according to Marci Hamilton, CEO of CHILD USA.
CHILD USA CEO Prof. Marci Hamilton will be joining State Senator Joseph Vitale and Governor Phil Murphy in support of Senator Vitale’s proposed legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for sexual offenses in New Jersey. It is thanks to Senator Vitale’s tireless effort to give justice to these victims and Governor Murphy’s willingness to sign this legislation into law, that New Jersey takes this step forward in protecting children against sex abuse. Child sexual abuse is a global scourge that has flourished in youth-serving organizations and families. On average, 1 in 4 girls, and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Senator Vitale’s legislation is a big step forward for survivors and victims in the state of New Jersey.
CHILD USA is the only organization to track the child sex abuse Statute of Limitations (SOL) reform movement and to study and analyze SOL’s. For the latest information, visit www.childusa.org/2019sol.
Regarding this new proposed legislation, Professor Hamilton commented “New Jersey is now the leader in the United States on SOL reform for child sex abuse and adult assault victims. This is the first window to cover both child and adult victims. It has been an honor to work with Sen. Joe Vitale on this important legislation over the last 14 years. New Jersey joins, New York, Washington DC, and Montana by enacting a window this year and 38 other states are considering statute of limitation reform in 2019. This is a banner year for justice for victims of child sex abuse.”
WHO:
Sen. Joseph Vitale, Prime Sponsor of S.477
Sen. Steve Sweeney, Senate President
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano
Professor Marci Hamilton, CEO of CHILD USA and Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Mark Crawford, NJ State Director, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of NJCASA
WHEN and WHERE:
Monday, May 13, 2019
Press Conference: 3:00 p.m. EST, 131 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608 in Committee Room 4
CHILD USA testimony available at www.childusa.org/testimony
