Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed legislation extending the look back window for victims to file claims under the Child Victims Act, regardless of when or how long ago the alleged abuse occurred.

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Cuomo issued an executive order extending the window until Jan. 14, 2021. The legislation signed Monday extends the special filing period by a full year and claims can now be filed under the Child Victims Act until Aug. 14, 2021.

“The Child Victims Act brought a long-needed pathway to justice for people who were abused, and helps right wrongs that went unacknowledged and unpunished for far too long and we cannot let this pandemic limit the ability for survivors to have their day in court,” Cuomo said. “As New York continues to reopen and recover from a public health crisis, extending the look back window is the right thing to do and will help ensure that abusers and those who enabled them are held accountable.”