Paths to Justice

Survivors of Sexual Abuse at New York City Institutions

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Did this happen in NYC (5 Boroughs)?

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The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

Our lawyers represent survivors of sexual assault and abuse by staff and employees at jails, juvenile-detention centers, schools, hospitals, foster-care agencies, universities, and other institutions across New York City. A New York City law lets survivors of gender-motivated violence, including sexual assault, bring a civil claim, with no criminal case required. A review is free and confidential, and there is no fee unless we win. We're here to listen, on your terms.

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Free · Confidential · No fee unless we win

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Confidential

All consultations are completely confidential

Proven Results

$1B+ recovered for clients

Experienced Team

3,500+ survivors represented

40+ Years

Decades of experience fighting for justice

Recognized Excellence in Legal Representation

What You May Achieve

The NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Law gives survivors a path to compensation and accountability

Compensation

Survivors may recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses.

Accountability

Hold individuals and institutions responsible for abuse. The law allows claims against both perpetrators and enabling institutions.

Validation & Healing

Pursuing a claim can be part of reclaiming your story and seeking justice on your terms.

Institutional Change

Lawsuits under this law can drive safer policies and practices across NYC institutions of all types.

How We Help You

Our team guides you through every step with compassion and expertise.

Free Confidential Consultation

Share your story in a safe, trauma-informed conversation. Your privacy is protected throughout the process.

Case Evaluation

Our team reviews your situation against the law's requirements and gathers relevant evidence.

Pursue Your Claim

We build your case and pursue maximum compensation through negotiation or litigation.

No Fees Unless We Win

You pay nothing upfront or out of pocket. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Institution Types We Investigate

Tap a category to learn more. The law reaches many NYC institutions beyond these.

Juvenile Detention

Horizon, Crossroads, and other NYC ACS juvenile-detention facilities where young people allege sexual abuse by staff.

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Jails

The Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) at Rikers Island, borough jails, and NYPD holding cells where survivors allege sexual abuse in custody.

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Schools

Public schools where students were abused by teachers, coaches, or administrators.

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Medical Facilities

Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings where patients experienced abuse by medical staff.

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Other Institutions

Universities, foster care placements, athletic clubs, and other NYC institutions where abuse occurred.

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Who May Qualify?

NYC's Gender Motivated Violence Protection Law creates a civil cause of action for survivors of gender-motivated violence, including sexual abuse. Here's what we look for when evaluating cases.

See what changed under the law →

Key Requirements

You experienced sexual abuse or assault at an NYC institution
The abuser was acting within their role at the institution (staff, employee, contractor, etc.)
The institution is located within the five boroughs of New York City
You can identify the abuser by name, nickname, or physical description
You know the approximate time period when the abuse occurred

Helpful But Not Required

Documentation you were at the institution (records, photos, etc.)
Names of potential witnesses
Any prior reports or complaints made

Deadlines Are Case-Specific

New York City law on abuse claims has recently changed, and many survivors who were previously time-barred may now be able to file. Whether a specific claim can proceed — and its deadline — depends on the facts of that case and requires review with an attorney.

Don't wait to explore your options. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.

Check Your Eligibility

Who We Are

Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a prominent full-service law firm with over 40 years of experience representing survivors of catastrophic and traumatic events, including litigating against the Boy Scouts, medical professionals, and members of the justice system.

The attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP take a personal approach to representation. We are here to ensure that survivors have the opportunity to confront their past with the full support of our large legal team.

We are honored to have represented more than 3,500 survivors in the historic $4 billion settlement with Los Angeles County—the largest of its kind in history.

See verified New York settlement examples

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3,500+

Survivors Represented

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Check if you qualify for a free consultation.

What is the NYC Gender Motivated Violence Protection Law?

It's a New York City law that creates a civil cause of action for survivors of gender-motivated violence, including sexual abuse and assault. The law allows survivors to sue those who commit, direct, enable, participate in, or conspire in such violence, as well as the institutions that employed them.

Do I have to report the abuse to police to file a civil claim?

No. A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal proceedings. You do not need to have made a police report, and the outcome of any criminal case does not determine your civil claim. Many survivors pursue civil claims without ever involving law enforcement.

What if the abuse happened decades ago?

Recent changes in New York City law may allow survivors to bring claims that were previously time-barred — including abuse from years or decades ago. Whether an older claim can proceed depends on the facts of that case and requires review with an attorney; a free, confidential review is the fastest way to find out.

Can I still file under the Adult Survivors Act?

No — the Adult Survivors Act's one-year filing window closed in November 2023, so new claims can no longer be filed under that law. But other paths remain open, including for abuse that happened long ago. Which path applies — and its deadline — depends on the facts of your case; a free, confidential review with an attorney is the fastest way to find out.

Can an institution be held responsible for what an employee did?

Yes. Under this law, institutions can be held liable when their employees, agents, or contractors committed abuse while acting within the course and scope of their role. This includes situations where the institution knew or should have known about the risk and failed to protect victims.

Do I need to know the abuser's full name?

While knowing the abuser's full name is helpful, it's not always required. If you can provide a detailed physical description, nickname, or other identifying information, our investigators may be able to identify the perpetrator. However, if the abuser cannot ultimately be identified through investigation, it may affect the viability of your claim.

Does this apply to abuse from before the law changed?

It may. Recent changes in the law are aimed at allowing survivors to bring claims for older abuse, even where those claims were previously time-barred. Whether a specific claim qualifies — and its deadline — is case-specific and requires attorney review.

Is my consultation confidential?

Yes. Your consultation is confidential.

How long does a case typically take?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the evidence involved, and whether it settles or proceeds to trial. Some cases resolve within months, while others may take several years. We keep you informed throughout the process and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome efficiently.

Will I have to testify or go to court?

Many cases settle without the need for a trial. However, if your case does go to court, you may be asked to provide testimony. Our team prepares you thoroughly for any proceedings and supports you every step of the way. We also work to protect your privacy through protective orders and other legal mechanisms.

What if my prior case was dismissed?

If your previous case was dismissed due to statute of limitations issues, recent changes in New York City law may give you another opportunity. Whether your situation qualifies is case-specific — contact us for a free, confidential review with an attorney.

How much does it cost to file a claim?

There is no upfront cost to file a claim with our firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of any settlement or verdict we obtain on your behalf.

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Eleven offices. National reach.

New York survivors get the focused attention of a local team backed by the resources of a national firm — with offices coast to coast.

New York City

488 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(212) 922-0906

Long Island

445 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 419

Melville, NY 11747

(631) 420-9300

California

8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 255

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

(310) 341-2086

Pennsylvania

101 West Elm Street, Suite 520

Conshohocken, PA 19428

(484) 544-3925

New Jersey

89 N. Haddon Avenue, Suite D

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

(856) 394-5936

Louisiana

6023 Magazine St

New Orleans, LA 70118

(504) 474-9490

Arkansas

201 S.W. 14th Street, Suite 201, P.O. Box 928

Bentonville, AR 72712

(479) 385-2491

New Mexico

1701 Old Pecos Trail

Santa Fe, NM 87505

(505) 305-1283

North Carolina

501 Fayetteville Street, Suite 230

Raleigh, NC 27601

(984) 489-9522

Maryland

9475 Deereco Road, Suite 300

Timonium, MD 21093

(443) 998-6705

Illinois

121 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 663

Chicago, IL 60601