Sexual assault victims in N.J. will soon be able to sue nonprofits that employed their rapists under law Murphy just signed

Sexual assault victims hearing

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing in March on legislation that would expand the statute of limitations allowing victims of sex assault to sue institutions.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed a law sought by victims in the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal for two decades that will grant them greater freedom in New Jersey to sue their abusers and the nonprofits employers.

In his signing statement, Murphy acknowledged the legislation was the subject of a lengthy and emotional battle between victims and religious leaders.

“I recognize that this issue has evoked strong passions on both sides, as supporters of the bill rightly note that it greatly increases the ability of victims of sexual abuse to pursue justice through the court system,” Murphy said in his statement.

“Opponents argue that by exposing religious and nonprofit organizations to potentially massive financial liabilities, the bill may have the unintended effect of inhibiting these organizations from providing the services that many vulnerable New Jerseyans rely on,” the Democratic governor added.

“I take these concerns seriously, but I cannot deny victims the ability to seek redress in court for sexual abuse that often leaves trauma lasting a lifetime. I am confident that our judicial system is the right forum to assess these claims fairly and impartially,” Murphy continued.

"I thank the bill’s sponsors for their commitment to tackling this issue, as well as the advocates for their activism and engagement,” he said.

Murphy issued a statement while the bill’s sponsors, while state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, and state Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, separately plan to hold a signing ceremony later in the day at the Statehouse in Trenton.

The new law, which takes effect Dec. 1, allows victims in New Jersey to bring a civil suit up until the age of 55 or seven years after they make “the discovery" connecting their emotional and psychological injury to the sexual abuse.

Previously barred from bringing a lawsuit because they had run out of time under the existing law, victims also would get a new two-year window to pursue their case. The clock would begin Dec. 1, 2019 and close Nov. 30, 2021.

The legislation targets the individuals who commit the sexual assault and the nonprofits like churches, athletic organizations, schools and community organizations for whom they worked.

The law (S477) also allows adult sexual assault victims seven years to file a civil lawsuit, instead of the current two-year time limit.

Victims also have another option to seek justice outside the courthouse.

The five Catholic Dioceses in New Jersey have agreed to pay claims that are reviewed and recommended by an independent panel run by an administrator of the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the priest abuse victims’ fund for the Archdiocese of New York. The New Jersey Compensation Fund for Victims of Church Sexual Abuse of Minors will evaluate claims offer settlements to victims beginning in July.

“While we disagreed on specific elements of this legislation, the Catholic community, the legislature, and the Governor sincerely agree on one key position - the need to restore justice for the victims of sexual abuse in New Jersey," Maria Margiotta, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Newark, said.

“The Catholic community is confident that the Independent Victims Compensation Program established by the five dioceses in New Jersey is a significant step towards restoring justice for those who, as minors, were abused by ministers of the Church,” Margiotta said. "Further, we are committed to the comprehensive healing of those harmed and we will continue our policies aimed at protecting children from abuse.”

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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