On Monday March 25, 2019, the New Jersey legislature passed the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Carol Murphy, cleared with final passage in the Assembly at 77-0 despite fierce opposition from the Catholic Church. The bill gives victims of sexual assault in New Jersey significantly more time to file lawsuits against their abusers.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is expected to sign the bill, which had been stalled in the state legislature for more than two decades.
NJ Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights
The Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights removes the statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse and expands the categories of defendants liable in such actions. The bill removes the statute of limitations for a period of 2 years by allowing victims of sexual abuse whose claims have expired to file a claim against both the individual and/or any liable institution. Moreover, if an incident of sexual abuse happened before the victim turned 18, that person would be able to file a claim any time up until the age of 55.
The bill further allows victims of child sexual abuse to file actions against institutions that protect the perpetrators “due to the negligent hiring, supervision or retention of an employee, agent or servant of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable, education or hospital purposes.
In addition, victims who were previously barred from bringing a lawsuit because they had run out of the time under the existing law will have an additional two-year window to pursue their case.
The New Jersey Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights passed approximately two months after New York passed a similar law, the Child Victims Act.
NJ Child Sex Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of child sexual abuse, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Although no amount of money will undo the harm caused, it can bring a sense of justice and closure for victims. For more information or to consult with an experienced NJ child sex abuse attorney, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-516-908-9792.
