Child Victims Act leaves many with no path to justice

Indeed, of more than 500 lawsuits filed under the Child Victims Act since Aug. 14, nearly 97 percent have identified large institutions — namely the Catholic church or the Boy Scouts of America —instead of individuals. Fewer than 20 cases have named solely an individual or multiple individuals, according to a Times Union analysis of online court filings.

Some activists, including the Child Victims Act’s most fervent supporters, are calling on New York legislators to create a public-and-private victims’ fund to compensate survivors who cannot pursue justice under the current law.