BAbreu@Ms.Foundation.org

MEMORANDUM

 

FROM: Assemblywoman Margret Markey

TO: Friends of the Child Victims Act of New York

As the 2014 legislative session proceeds I want to update you on some recent activity relating to the Child Victims Act (A1771A) and report about upcoming plans for lobbying activity in Albany.

EXPERTS SHARE THEIR VIEWS: I am grateful to the Ms. Foundation for Women and the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition for producing an outstanding webinar event on April 10 about child sexual abuse and the need to reform the criminal and civil statute of limitations for these offenses in NY State. I was pleased to participate in the enlightening program for a statewide audience of professionals who provide support and counseling for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Emceed by Ms. Foundation Senior Strategist Julie F. Kaye, other national experts delivered an excellent exposition of the scourge of child sexual abuse and the need for SOL reform. They included: Cardozo Law Professor Marci Hamilton, Michael Polenberg of Safe Horizon and co-chair of the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition; Susan Xenarios,  Crime Victims Treatment Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Co-Chair of the Downstate Coalition; and Mary Haviland, Executive Director of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

FOLLOW-UP AND SEE THE WEBINAR: It is good news that the Ms. Foundation is making this highly informative hour-long program available through Dropbox. Contact BAbreu@Ms.Foundation.orgfor information or cut and paste this following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eqfrpo99a7v1gqa/CSA%20SOL%20%281%29.mp4

 

The April 10 webinar will be followed by other activity over the coming weeks in support of CVA.  The Ms. Foundation for Women and the Downstate Crime Victims Coalition are expecting to hold a press conference later this month to introduce organizations serving female survivors that will be announcing their support for the CVA legislation.

NEW LOBBY DAY DATE IS MAY 13: On Tuesday, May 13 supporters and advocates for the Child Victims Act will hold a Lobby Day for the bill in Albany to reach out to legislators, with a particular emphasis on the State Senate, Even though the Child Victims Act has been adopted by the Assembly four times since it was first introduced, it has not yet made it to the floor of the State Senate for a vote. The conference room of my Albany Office, Room 712, will be available for visitors that day and we expect to hold a press conference at mid-day.

I am deeply grateful to the many people and organizations who have continued to advocate on behalf of CVA over so many years and I look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,

Margaret M. Markey

April 11, 2014

 

Advocacy organizations and non-profits who want to connect with the Downstate Coalition and the Ms. Foundation activities on behalf of CVA should contact: JKay@Ms.Foundation.orgor mhaviland@svfreenyc.org

For information about progress in changing statute of limitations in states across America, see Professor Marci Hamilton’s website, http://sol-reform.com/News/home/

For Information about CVA developments in NY and updates about 2014 activities, see the CVA button on my Assembly website home page, http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Margaret-M-Markey/