Protecting Our Children of New York

According to New York law, a child who is a victim of most sex crimes only has a five year window to prosecute once he or she has turned 18 years of age. This panel includes survivors, advocates, and legislators who are attempting to pass new laws that would protect our children. Please join us for an informative panel to demonstrate the need for change and the possible approaches to be taken in order to better the status quo and protect our children. Gus Ipsen, Legislative Aide to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, will also be giving an address.
Hosted by the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Sponsored by JOFA.

The Panelists:

Rachel Ferrari began in Bronx District Attorney's Office as Chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau in May 2017. Prior to that, she spent fifteen years at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office investigating and prosecuting a variety of cases, including assault, narcotics, grand larceny, robbery, weapons possession and burglary. While there, she served in the Domestic Violence Unit and the Sex Crimes Unit. In 2007, Rachel joined the Child Abuse Unit where she investigated and prosecuted felony cases of physical and sexual abuse of children. In 2013, she became Deputy Chief of the Child Abuse Unit. Rachel received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her law degree from Fordham Law School.

Asher Lovy is an abuse survivor, and director of community organizing for ZAAKAH, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about child sexual abuse in the Orthodox Community, advocating for legislative reforms, and organizing community events to educate parents on child safety.

Bridie Farrell was a member of the US National Short Track Speed Skating Team and held three American Records. In 2013, while training for the Olympic Trials, she came out on Milwaukee Public Radio with her story of sexual abuse at the hands of her speed skating team mate, and trusted mentor, Olympic Silver medalist Andy Gabel. She was 15. He was 33. She shared her story fifteen years after the abuse ended. Seven years after the statute of limitations had passed. This has taken Bridie on a path of advocacy, public outreach, and community organizing for NY Loves Kids, an initiative she co-founded to right the injustice of New York State’s current Criminal and Civil Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Crimes, and to provide a retroactive opportunity for survivors of Child Sexual Crimes. Bridie’s story has appeared in printed and digital media such as the NY ​Times, the Huffington Post, Marie Claire, and the Women’s Sports Foundation. She also contributes to TV news coverage of developments in the fight against Child Sexual Crimes. Despite her busy schedule, lobbying NY State Legislators to pass the Child Victims Act, she remains an avid athlete, cycling and running.​ Bridie lives in Brooklyn with her supportive boyfriend Andrew and amazing dog Lexington.

The Moderator:
Jessica Schafroth joined Malkin & Ross in 2004 to provide government relations counsel and strategic advice to non‐profit, labor and healthcare clients of the firm. She is a senior member of the M&R team with more than 20 years of experience in politics and advocacy. Previous to joining the firm, Jessica did fundraising and public relations for a variety of health and social service agencies throughout New York and political campaign work in New York and Michigan.
Among Jessica’s policy successes are passage of the Wage Theft Prevention Act, Family Health Care Decisions Act, improved pension benefits for a public employee union and numerous protections for healthcare workers. She was an instrumental member of the team that passed a 30% rent cap for HIV+ residents on New York City and medical marijuana legislation. She has also secured and protected millions of dollars in HIV/AIDS, legal services, immigration, and economic development funding for community based organizations across the state. She is known for being a tenacious, never-take-no-for-an-answer lobbyist who consistently finds creative ways to help her clients succeed. Jessica is the primary strategist on the Campaign to Pass the Child Victims Act and is a survivor.