BRONX WEEKLY F www.BXTimes.com ebruary 24, 2019 14
On February 14, 2019, history
was made with the signing into
law by Governor Andrew Cuomo
of the “Child Victim’s Act.”
This Act will ensure that those
who abuse children are held accountable
criminally and civilly
for their wrongdoing. In addition,
this new statue creates a
path to justice for victims. The
bill extends the civil statute of
limitations to allow civil actions
to be brought until a victim’s
55th birthday for child sexual
abuse which occurred before
age 18. A one year window has
been created for adult survivors
to commence civil actions for
damages which under current
law are barred because of the
statute of limitations. This one
year window will begin on August
14, 2019 so victims up until
their 55th birthday can bring
civil lawsuits against individuals
or public and private institutions
from churches to public
school districts for child sexual
abuse that they may have suffered
many decades ago.
The Legislature also removes
the current Notice of
Claim requirements for public
entities in cases involving child
sexual abuse so a Notice of Intention
to make claim against
municipalities within 90 days is
not required in order to bring a
lawsuit.
Sexual abuse against a child
is a shameful unforgivable act.
It is a traumatizing experience
that can take a lifetime to come
to terms with. While this new
law cannot erase what happened
to victims, it will give victims
an opportunity to recover damages
in a Court of Law for what
happened to them.
While the one year window
to bring a legal action will not
begin August 14, 2019, victims
should consult an attorney as
soon as possible to begin the
painful and arduous task of
their gathering medical records
and other evidence of their victimization.
Governor Cuomo and the
state Legislature are to be commended
for making the “Child
Victim’s Act” a reality.
Maria Oben next to her mural. Round 7
It’s The Bronx keeps entry
window open, tickets on sale
BY ALEX MITCHELL
The days are numbered
until the highly anticipated
return of It’s The Bronx, a
marvelous two-day festival
and event series that will
run From Friday, March
23 to Saturday, March 24
at Union Crossing at 825 E.
141st Street.
When the preview for
the event, held at the Bronx
Brewery on 856 E 136th
Street, was met with incredible
success, the ‘It’s
The Bronx’ team knew it
was up to them to make the
main event even better.
While the still under
construction Union
Crossing makes it’s final
preparations, especially
to the upper floors, Marco
Shalma and his team at
Round 7 are also working
on their own finishing
touches, both inside
and out of the trendy new
building.
Something else that
Union Crossing just got was
a brand new paint job at the
help of Maria Oben.
But she didn’t just givie
the wall a fresh coat, she
designed a beautifully articulate
mural for ‘It’s The
Bronx,’ which will remain
on the building’s ground
fl oor when Union Crossing
opens up for business.
Another mural by Natile
Lucre is in the works on the
seventh fl oor as well.
“The goal is to keep
making this bigger and better,”
Shalma said, continuing
to explain that his newest
event series will have
over 100 performing artists
spread over the two days.
“The Bronx has so much
talent yet it’s hardly recognized,
that’s what this is
about, giving people that
are willing to work and
commit enough time the
opportunity to shine in the
name of the Bronx,” the
creator added.
BronxNet TV will be utilizing
their portable studio
space for it’s live coverage
of the event series. Meanwhile
some of the upper
fl oors of ‘It’s The Bronx’
will have live graffi ti demonstrations,
some of the
Bronx’s best, and I mean
best food cooking up like
the Bronx Burger Co. in
addition to many, delicious
others.
Shalma also teased that
some very exciting guest
appearances will becoming
along as well to Union
Crossing that weekend.
“I can’t say who it is
just yet, but that person is
a big deal, believe me,” he
teased.
If you want to show the
boogie down Bronx your
talent, it’s not too late to apply
for a chance to perform.
‘It’s The Bronx’ will be accepting
talent submissions
until Sunday, February 17;
or if you just want to go and
just simply take this incredible
festival in, tickets will
be available starting next
week at itsthebronx.com.
New artwork for It’s The Bronx. Round 7
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