We the undersigned want Senator McDonald to sponsor A5488, the Assembly's version of the Child Victim's Act.

Twenty percent of American children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Child sexual abuse produces many damaging lifelong effects for it's victims.

Unfortunately, many victims are unable to seek justice in the criminal or civil courts because of New York's statute of limitations. Studies show that over 90% of children are sexually abused by someone close to them, often a family member or someone close to their family. 80-90% of victims won't tell anyone about their victimization before they become adults.

In at least ten percent of cases, there is a non-offending adult who is aware of the abuse and does nothing to stop it. And this doesn't take into account the children who tell an adult who may take some action, but that action falls short of a call to the police or CPS. In short, it is impossible for many dependant children to use the court system to seek justice. They need to wait until they are adults, and adults who have accomplished a certain amount of healing, and have social, financial and health resources at their disposal.

Things that are almost impossible for them to accomplish by the tender age of 23, the age at which the current statute of limitations prohibits them from seeking justice.

This is one of rare opportunities the legislator gets to pass a bill that can empower victims, remove sex offenders from the street, and protect children.

We the undersigned urge you to sponsor and support this bill.