Senator Brooks Calls for Stronger Child Abuse Reporting Requirements
Long Island, NY - January 23, 2017 - On Tuesday, Senator John E. Brooks called on the Legislature to fast track his legislation that would close the loophole that currently exempts private schools from reporting child abuse to law enforcement, as well as the Child Victims Act.
State law currently requires public school administrators to forward reports of child abuse committed by school employees or volunteers to law enforcement, but excludes private school administrators. Senator Brooks’ legislation (S.4342/A.5371) closes this gap by requiring private school administrators to report this alleged abuse, thereby, protecting their students. Additionally, it would prohibit private school administrators from withholding an allegation of abuse from authorities in exchange for the accused’s resignation or suspension.
Senator Brooks said, "Accounts of students being sexually abused in private school settings are all too common. It is inconceivable that these schools remain free to handle abuse allegations in whatever way they see fit, often putting a school’s institutional reputation above the safety of its students. This serious legislative gap leaves hundreds of thousands of New York students vulnerable and exposed. It’s our job as legislators to protect them and close this glaring oversight."
Senator Brooks also reiterated the need for the inclusion of the Child Victims Act in the final state budget. The bill seeks to make it easier for survivors of child sexual abuse to take legal action as adults, and would significantly extend the statute of limitations that currently restricts the ability for victims to pursue criminal and civil justice. Further, it would create a one-year revival period, allowing survivors who have been prevented from bringing a civil claim the ability to bring a new action.