Survivor urges Newark council to press county delegation on HR 29 20 Justice for Survivors Act
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Summary
During public comment at the Dec. 2 pre-meeting, survivor Mildred Ramos recounted decades-old assault and trafficking, urged the council to contact the Essex County delegation to back HR 29 20 (Justice for Survivors Act) eliminating certain statutes of limitation and expanding remedies, and offered further information by email.
Mildred Ramos delivered a detailed survivor testimony during the Newark Municipal Council’s Dec. 2 public comment period, recounting a 38-year-old multiple-perpetrator sexual assault and episodes of human trafficking. Ramos urged the council to use its influence with the Essex County delegation to support HR 29 20, which she said would incentivize states to eliminate civil and criminal statutes of limitation for child-rape cases and expand access to civil and criminal remedies for survivors.
Ramos described the long-term personal consequences of violence and said current state limits can prevent survivors from seeking justice; she noted that New York state has some statutes tied to an age limit of 55 and said she is 54. She asked the council to “stand with survivors” and pressed officials to connect her with legislators and to request information and updates from the county’s federal delegation regarding HR 29 20. After her remarks, council members expressed sympathy and asked staff to prepare a motion asking the Essex County delegation to examine HR 29 20 and report back with specifics.
The council chair and a council member asked Ramos to remain after her remarks so staff could offer assistance and capture details for follow-up. Ramos offered to email supporting materials; the clerk and administration said they would seek the requested information and provide an update to council members.
No formal resolution in support of HR 29 20 was taken during the pre-meeting; council members directed staff to gather information and to draft language for the appropriate next meeting.
