New York to Suspend Statute of Limitations on Adult Sex-Abuse Cases

Advocates for the legislation said it is necessary because survivors of sexual abuse often require years to process their experience and are then barred from bringing claims.

New York to Suspend Statute of Limitations on Adult Sex-Abuse Cases

Legislation expected to be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul would temporarily suspend its civil statute of limitations for adult sexual abuse, reports the New York Times. The Adult Survivors Act would open a one-year window in which people who were sexually abused as adults could file claims against their attackers—regardless of when they were abused.

Advocates for the legislation said it is necessary because survivors of sexual abuse often require years to process their experience and are then barred from bringing claims. New York will become the second state, after New Jersey, to open a so-called look-back window for adults. The New York measure would allow civil lawsuits for claims arising from instances of rape, incest or sexual abuse.