Child Victim's Act of Delaware

Child Victim's Act of Delaware
July 28, 2008
ChildVictimsVoice

Expert panel to discuss law, answer questions

A panel, featuring survivors of childhood sexual abuse and experts in the fields of law enforcement, constitutional law, victims' advocacy and the counseling of childhood trauma victims, will discuss Delaware's Child Victim's Act at its one-year milestone.

When:
Tuesday, August 5, 7 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Where:

Bernard and Ruth Siegel Jewish Community Center
 101 Garden of Eden Road Wilmington, DE 19803

Who:

Five leading experts on Delaware's civil window and similar laws nationwide, including:

Marci A. Hamilton, a law professor and author of 'Justice Denied'.

Charles F. Gallagher III, Deputy District Attorney of Philadelphia,

Survivor/advocate Joelle Casteix, SNAP's Southwest Regional Director and

Vicki Polin, MA, LCPC, NCC, ATR-BC - Founder/Director, The Awareness Center and survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

Valerie C. Marek, LCSW, CADC, executive director of Survivors Of Abuse in Recovery, Inc. (SOAR).

The Child Victim's Act, which was authored by State Senator Karen Peterson eliminated the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse of children. It gives child victims of unspeakable sexual trauma the chance to speak up in a way that they were previously unable to. Prior Delaware law only gave victims of child sexual abuse two years from the date of abuse to use the courts for a civil remedy. Under the new law, victims are able to sue both the perpetrators and private and public institutions that are found grossly negligent in their responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse.

On July 10, 2008, Delaware's two-year civil window hit the one-year mark. Numerous victims who were molested as children have already come forward and asked Delaware's court system to help them seek justice, and to keep children safe today by exposing sexual predators.

The civil window closes on July 10, 2009. 

Call To Action for State and National Laws Lifting the Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse Victims’ Lawsuits—At NYC Press Conference, Sept 25th at 11:00 AM

Call To Action for State and National Laws Lifting the Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse Victims’ Lawsuits—At NYC Press Conference, Sept 25th at 11:00 AM
Join Cardozo Prof. Marci Hamilton, legal advisor to victims of sexual abuse in several noteworthy cases around the country; State Representative Margaret Markey of Queens, NY; State Senator Karen Peterson of Delaware; and Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

At a 

CALL TO ACTION 

September 25, 2007 at 11am

FOR STATE & NATIONAL LAWS

LIFTING The STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON Sexual Abuse VICTIMs’ LAWSUITS

• Assemblywoman Markey has introduced legislation in New York that has passed in the Assembly, but has stalled repeatedly in the Senate.

• Senator Peterson spearheaded newly adopted legislation in Delaware .

• Both legislators will discuss their efforts and the importance of the legislation.

• NY survivors will speak about the need for similar legislation in New York .

• Survivor Matt Conaty of Delaware will tell why he worked hard to get legislation passed in his state.

• Vicki Polin, Founder of The Awareness Center will address why legislation is needed for the millions of Americans who are victims of incest.

• Professor Hamilton will talk about the growing national grassroots movement for legislation and her recent book that details the need for such legislation and identifies its rather surprising opponents.

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law/Yeshiva University

Jacob Burns Moot Court Room

55 Fifth Avenue @ 12th Street

New York , New York

For additional information or to attend, you must rsvp to lawpr@yu.edu or call 212-790-0237.