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New Help For Sex Crime Victims

ALBANY (AP) A new state law in New York will boost efforts to help the victims of child pornography and other sex crimes.

The legislation signed this month by Gov. Andrew Cuomo permits the state's Department of Health to create educational and outreach campaigns to spread the word about counseling and other support services available for victims.

Advocates say that victims of child pornography often don't know there are programs run by governments and non-profit organizations that can help them deal with the life-long consequences of such crimes.

Sex crimes are also one of the most unreported crimes, with state figures estimating that only 54 percent of such cases were reported in 2010.

The measure was passed by lawmakers earlier this year.

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