'This is society's way of saying we are sorry,' New York Governor tells survivors of sex abuse before signing Child Victims Act into law

With survivors of sexual abuse in attendance, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, flanked by lawmakers and victims' advocates, signed into law the Child Victims Act, ending a 13-year fight and decades of personal pain for many.

"This is society's way of saying we are sorry," the governor said, speaking to survivors at the bill signing.

"We are sorry for what happened to you. We are sorry that it took us so long to acknowledge what happened to you. We are sorry that justice took so long. We are sorry to the other victims who, in the interim, were also violated because society was slow in acting."

The new law allows survivors of child sex abuse until their 55th birthday to file a civil suit, an increase from the previous age limit of 23. Felony charges can be sought until they're 28 years old, up from 23. Misdemeanors can be filed until their 25th birthday, extending the previous statute of limitation by five years. read more »