SKANEATELES, N.Y. -- New York State law has changed. Corroborating testimony of witnesses was crucial to sex crimes, but many cases happened behind closed doors where no witnesses existed and many victims were afraid to come forward until years later.
Today, victims can claim they were sexually abused and if a jury believes them, that's all that's needed.
"The testimony of one witness, if you find them credible, is sufficient to sustain a conviction, if they believe that witness beyond a reasonable doubt," said John P. Gross, a ractitioner-in-residence at Syracuse University.
It's not unusual for a victim to come forward so late with a claim. We've seen it in cases before and the primary reason they stall is because they don't want their credibility compromised.
On Tuesday, police arrested a Skaneateles teacher and charged him with three counts of a criminal sex act against a student. The victim came forward five years after the alleged crime. So how difficult was it for the victim to finally come forward? And how difficult will it be for prosecutors to prove a case where no evidence exists? News 10 Now's Joleene Des Rosiers has more.
"One of the reasons victims don't come forward is because they expect they won’t be believed. And if people are questioning why they wait so long, that's part of not believing their story,” said Randi Bregman, the Executive Director of Vera House.
"It's everyone's worst nightmare to be accused of something like that, and it's exactly because it's so easy to allege and so difficult to defend yourself against. Because there's such a stigma attached to just the allegation,” Gross said. “By bringing the charge, by bringing this type of allegation of a sex crime, you are literally branding that person for life."
William Milham faces three felony charges of a criminal sex act for allegedly forcing a former student on him five years ago. And whether he's guilty or not, can only be determined by a jury of his peers.