New York enacted the Child Victims Act (CVA), a legal provision that extended the timeframe for individuals who allegedly experienced child sexual abuse while under the age of eighteen to initiate both civil and criminal proceedings against the alleged perpetrators or responsible parties.
CVA cases in New York require the utmost attention and sensitivity. These cases shed light on potentially horrific experiences of child victims who may have endured unspeakable acts of abuse. Attorneys handling such cases have a profound responsibility to advocate for justice on behalf of these vulnerable individuals. In this pursuit, clinical and empirical Forensic Psychological Evaluation is an invaluable tool.
Attorneys must prove or disprove evidence of significant or egregious emotional distress. A Forensic Psychological Evaluation provides a comprehensive account of the client's history, including their alleged traumatic experience. Additionally, it delves into the psychological and functional impact of the potential event, elucidating the severity of symptoms such as anxiety, anger, depression, fear, posttraumatic stress, insomnia, and the long-term effects on the client.
Most importantly, a forensic evaluation can assist in proving or disproving whether an alleged abuser's actions were the proximate cause of the plaintiff's alleged emotional distress. I have the privilege of working with attorneys for both plaintiffs and defendants in CVA cases.
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