PRESS RELEASE
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by leaders of the TIME'S UP
movement and NOW-NYC, today signed legislation (S.6574/A.8412) extending the
statute of limitations to 20 years for rape in the second degree and to 10
years for rape in the third degree. The law also extends the statute of
limitations to 20 years for a criminal sexual act in the second degree and
incest in the second degree, and to 10 years for a criminal sexual act in the
third degree. This law also eliminates the statute of limitations for incest in
the first degree and increases the time period in which victims can bring a
civil suit for these offenses to 20 years. Prior to this new law, victims only
had five years to bring a legal case alleging rape in the second degree or
third degree or a criminal sexual act in the second degree or third degree.
Altogether, this will provide victims greater opportunity to seek justice.
"There has been an ongoing and pervasive culture of
sexual harassment and abuse in our society, and it is made worse by the fact
that victims of second and third degree rape only have five years to bring a
legal claim against their attacker. Five years is an insult to these survivors
and today we're providing them more time to come to terms with the trauma they
experienced and to seek justice," Governor Cuomo said. "This new law
recognizes the injustice that has gone on for far too long and honors all the
women who have suffered this pain and all the advocates who had the courage to
come forward and tell their story so that other women may be spared the
pain."
"As a critical part of our Women's Justice Agenda and
in partnership with TIME'S UP, this action will enable New Yorkers to seek
justice and help ensure more rapists are held accountable," said
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "In New York, we are committed to
changing the culture, combating sexual harassment, and protecting women against
violence. Extending the statute of limitations for rape is a significant step
forward for victims across our state."
Statutes of limitations on rape cases impose a ticking clock
on how long victims are able to come forward if they want to seek charges. Over
the last year, victims who have suffered in silence for decades have bravely
spoken about their abuse, and also have laid bare the state's limited ability
to prosecute their abusers due to the passage of time. These victims have also
changed the culture of silence, empowering other victims to speak out against
their abusers and providing them with a platform to come forward. In
recognition of this fact, states across the country are lengthening or
eliminating the statutes of limitations on crimes of sexual violence.
The Governor first proposed these reforms as part of the
2019 Women's Justice Agenda; he proposed it again in the FY 2020 Executive
Budget. The initiative was not adopted by the legislature, and with 11 days
remaining in the legislative session, the Governor launched the "Women's
Justice Agenda: The Time Is Now" campaign urging the legislature to extend
the statute of limitations for rape in the second and third degrees.
