ALBANY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D, WF-Manhattan) released the following statement in response to passage of his legislation by the NYS Senate today that would make it easier to punish repeat sexual abusers. Under current law, only offenders convicted of forcible touching, sexual abuse in the third degree, or sexual abuse three times within a 10 year period could be charged with the crime of persistent sexual abuse, a class E felony. Hoylman’s bill removes that limit.

“Sexual assault is a serious crime that deserve an equally serious punishment. It should not make a difference whether you assaulted someone 11 years ago or 10 years ago; if you’re a repeat offender you should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. By passing my bill to eliminate the 10-year limit for persistent sexual abusers, the New York State Senate is sending a strong message that we are committed to protecting all New Yorkers from these heinous crimes.

“And while I’m grateful to my colleagues for helping pass this important measure,” Hoylman continued, “there is still more work to do to bring justice to all survivors, particularly survivors of child sexual abuse. With the Governor, the Assembly, and Senate Democrats in firm agreement, it’s time to truly bring justice to all survivors of abuse by also passing the Child Victims Act before the end of session.”