The New York Child Victims Act and Jehovah's Witnesses

[Jack Ryan]

For the majority of survivors of abuse, the new law is a welcome legal tool, but only for citizens of New York State. However, for Jehovah’s Witness victims, the legislation is far more significant. The Witness organization is headquartered in New York, which means that any and all cases from all 50 States are eligible where the Watchtower Organization is a defendant.

The key to filing such cases revolves around Watchtower’s decades-old policy in which allegations of sexual abuse are handled internally as matters of “sin”- but are rarely if ever reported to law enforcement.

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As stated by New York’s Government Web Site, this new law:

• Provides that the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of a sexual offense committed against a child shall not begin to run until the child turns 23 years of age.

• Provides that a civil action for conduct constituting a sexual offense against a child shall be brought before the child turns 55 years of age.

• Revives previously barred actions related to sexual abuse of children.

• Grants civil trial preference to such actions.

• Eliminates the notice of claim requirements for such actions when the action is brought against a municipality, the state or a school district.

• Requires judicial training relating to child abuse and the establishment of rules relating to civil actions brought for sexual offenses committed against children.

These stipulations represent landmark changes to New York laws protecting minors, which previously placed unrealistic limits on the time given for victims to come forward and report abuse, or file a civil lawsuit seeking justice.

Experts in the field now recognize that it may take 25, 30, 35 years or even longer before a victim of childhood abuse is able to disclose the crimes committed against them.

[Evacuated]

Great to see one area of life at least where concern for the treatment of fellow humans, particularly children, is paramount in law. Although the focus is on retribution rather than prevention, at least the problem is acknowledged.