BUFFALO (WBEN - Brendan Keany) - Many local and state officials are optimistic that 2019 will finally be the year to pass the Child Victim's Act.Erie County District Attorney John Flynn joined Bauerle & Bellavia Tuesday to talk on a variety of topics, but they touched on the Child Victim's Act, which, given the events of 2018 surrounding the Buffalo Diocese, really hits home for Western New York.
"This is my number-one priority this legislative cycle, and I have advocated for this for over a year now," Flynn said. "I went to Albany numerous times last year and lobbied for the passage of the Child Victim's Act. I'm going to Albany again hopefully next week to lobby for it again; this needs to get passed right away."
The legislation would extend or get rid of the statutes of limitation in cases involving the sex abuse of minors - something that has really hampered prosecution in these cases.
"The problem that I have as the DA, which has been my number-one problem over the course of the past year now, that this Catholic Church abuse scandal percolated, is the fact that I am dealing with a statute of limitations," said Flynn. "I'm dealing with a New York State law that says that I can't go back 30 years and prosecute someone who committed this horrific crime."
"I say we stand Pope Francis, and we pass the Child Victim's Act this year, because if you believe in justice for all, then you believe in passing the Child Victim's Act," said Cuomo in front of an applauding audience.
Flynn said he appreciated Cuomo's continued advocacy for this legislation.
"I am so pleased that the governor, today, as he did last year but it didn't get done, came out and advocated for the Child Victim's Act," said Flynn.
Other local officials also weighed in on Cuomo's speech and specifically addressed the Child Victim's Act.
It has been disturbing as a Catholic to see the reports of abuse by priests against children, much of it hidden for decades. That's why @NYGovCuomo is right and we should follow @Pontifex's leadership and hold those who abuse children responsible by passing the Child Victims Act.
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) January 15, 2019 While Flynn did admit that these cases are difficult to try, and that he doesn't know exactly how much longer any new law would allow victims to come forward, he says he'd be happy with anything at this point."Some versions of the law say no statutes of limitations going forward on any sex offense crime; other versions have an extension of either five or ten years going forward. So, again, it all depends on how they write the law...I'll be happy with anything," he said. "In a perfect world, I'd like to see no statute of limitations, but if they give me a 5-year extension or a 10-year extension, I'm fine with that."
