The recent acknowledgement by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo that 42 of its priests were removed, retired or left the ministry after allegations of sexual abuse since 1950 should be all the state Legislature needs to approve the Child Victims Act.

The current statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases is five years after a victim turns 18 for criminal complaints and three years after a victim turns 18 for civil lawsuits. Studies have shown it typically takes much longer than that for many childhood sex abuse victims to come to terms with their trauma. In the meantime, these children grow into adults who can deal with higher levels of depression, guilt, shame, self-blame, eating disorders, increased worry about having a physical issue, anxiety, dissociative patterns, repression, denial, sexual problems and relationship problems.

It is only right that child sex abuse victims who currently have no legal recourse have an opportunity to have their stories told. The Child Victims Act would open a one-year window in which the statute of limitations on these cases would be waived. State Senators have balked at the Child Victims Act in the past over concerns that it is difficult, if not impossible, to prosecute cases in which so much time has passed. There are concerns about an overworked court system that could be flooded with cases.

And, there has been opposition from organizations that could face millions of dollars in damages if cases can now be taken to court. We note the recent acknowledgment from the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo comes after the statute of limitations has run out on many of the cases and after roughly half of the priests alleged to be involved in crimes against children have died.

The concerns of organizations that have done their best to hide and protect perpetrators of child sex abuse and concerns over an overworked court system pale in comparison with the damage that has already been done to innocent children. The Child Victims Act should be passed. Justice should be done.