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Religious Groups Oppose Proposed NY Limitations Extension For Absue Cases

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's New York Times reports that Catholic and Orthodox Jewish groups are lobbying hard against a proposed bill that would extend the statute of limitations for filing of civil child sexual abuse cases. The bill, A2596 and S2568, which now has a good chance of passing, would give a one-time one year window for victims to file no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, and then would extend the limitations period to ten years after the victim turns 18. (Background). Catholic Church leaders, who say the bill is designed to bankrupt the Church, are leading the opposition. Recently though they have been joined by leaders of Hasidic and Sephardic Jewish institutions in Brooklyn which may face similar abuse claims. Opponents claim that memories are unreliable as to decades-old events. They also complain that the bill applies only to religious and private institutions, while leaving victims of abuse by public school teachers with a very short statute of limitations-- 90 days after turning 18. [Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 12, 2009 (boomark / email).