Slater Slater Schulman LLP
Survivors Are Filing Claims

Rikers Island Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Rikers Island·Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC)

Were you sexually abused by a guard or staff at Rosie's (RMSC)?

Free Confidential No fee unless we win

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

Attorneys for women sexually abused at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) on Rikers Island — “Rosie’s.” Confidential, free case review.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Filing a Rikers Island Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

If a correction officer or other staff member sexually abused you while you were held at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC), the women’s jail on Rikers Island, you may be able to bring a civil lawsuit.

A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal case. You do not need to have reported the abuse at the time, and you do not need to have all the details to start.

Women held at RMSC have already filed hundreds of lawsuits against New York City alleging staff sexual abuse. Those allegations have not been proven in court, and past cases are not a measure of what any current claim may be worth.

New York City law on older claims has recently changed. Whether your claim is timely depends on the facts of your case and requires review with an attorney.

Our Rikers Island abuse lawyers offer a free, confidential case review.

Rikers Island Sexual Abuse Claims Are Individual Lawsuits

Sexual abuse claims over Rikers are brought as individual lawsuits. There is no class settlement for them.

The City has settled individual lawsuits brought by women who said staff sexually abused them while they were held on Rikers Island, without admitting liability. 6 7

Lewis v. City of New York (S.D.N.Y.), the federal class action over strip searches at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, is a separate case from sexual abuse claims.

If a correction officer or other staff member sexually abused you at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC), your claim would be your own. We work with you individually and confidentially.

Every case is different. Past settlements are not a measure of what any claim may be worth, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Were you abused at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC)?

You may be eligible for compensation. Speaking with us is free and confidential.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Available 24/7 · 646-922-9103

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

Who May Have a Claim

  • You were held at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) on Rikers Island
  • You were sexually abused by a staff member or someone acting on the facility's behalf
  • You do not need to have reported it at the time
  • You do not need to have all the details to start

Your Legal Options & Why Now

New York's filing deadlines depend on when the abuse happened and how old you were. The Adult Survivors Act's one-year window closed in November 2023, so new claims can no longer be filed under that law — but other paths remain open.

Depending on when the abuse happened, people abused as children in New York may have until age 55 to file a civil claim; for older childhood abuse in New York City, a different, temporary path may apply. For abuse as an adult, New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Act allows claims for up to seven years — and New York City law on older claims has recently changed, so whether an older claim can proceed depends on individual circumstances. The law governing some of these claims continues to evolve, which is another reason early review matters.

New York filing deadlines for abuse claims — general framework
Abused as a child (under 18)Depending on when it happened, you may have until age 55 — a free, confidential case review can tell you quickly
Abused as an adult — recent conductUp to 7 years under NYC's Gender-Motivated Violence Act
Abused as an adult — older conductThe law has recently changed — call for a free review promptly

Whether your claim is timely depends on the facts of your case and requires review with an attorney — don't count yourself out based on general timeframes. Start a free, confidential review →

What happens when you reach out

Three quiet steps, on your terms

  • 1
    You tell us as much or as little as you want.A confidential conversation with our team — by phone or online. You stay in control of the pace.
  • 2
    We review whether you have a claim.At no cost, against the facts and the law — and we tell you honestly either way.
  • 3
    You decide what happens next.If you choose to move forward, you pay nothing unless we win for you.
See If You Qualify Call Now

Time Limits

Time limits can apply to these claims. The sooner you reach out, the more we may be able to do — and speaking with us is free and confidential.

Uncovering abuse

Reports of Abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center

Under the Adult Survivors Act — a state law that opened a one-year filing window in 2022–2023 — 719 lawsuits were filed against New York City alleging sexual abuse by staff at Rikers. Nearly all were brought by women held at the Rose M. Singer Center, with allegations spanning 1976 to 2023 and aggregate demands exceeding $14.7 billion. The complaints describe assaults during body searches, in showers, and through coercion involving contraband; roughly 40 of the suits allege abuse within the last six years. The allegations have not been proven in court, and no global settlement has been reached. 1

These are allegations — but parts of the broader record are not, and the Bronx District Attorney now operates an initiative dedicated to prosecuting sex crimes at Rikers. 2

A U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics survey found that about 6% of women held at RMSC reported staff sexual victimization — more than three times the national average for jails. This is a self-reported federal survey rather than a court finding. 3

A separate wave of claims involves people abused at Rikers and city juvenile facilities as minors; the city law governing those claims has changed several times, most recently in January 2026. 4 Rikers itself is scheduled by law to close by August 31, 2027, but the City has acknowledged the deadline will not be met, and the complex will remain in operation for years. 5

The lawsuits above were brought chiefly under the Adult Survivors Act, whose filing window closed in November 2023. New York law provides separate, current paths for survivors who qualify — and because past cases arose under different laws, they are not a measure of what any current claim may be worth.

Sources & authorities (7)+
  1. [1]Gothamist — Late-night sex assaults, invasive searches: the 700 women alleging abuse at Rikersgothamist.com
  2. [2]Bronx District Attorney — case release via the Rikers Island Sex Crimes Prosecution Initiativebronxda.nyc.gov
  3. [3]U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics — Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2011–12 Updatebjs.ojp.gov
  4. [4]NYC Council — Council overrides mayoral veto of legislation restoring survivors' claims (Jan 29, 2026)council.nyc.gov
  5. [5]Gothamist — Rikers Island jails won't close by 2027 deadline, independent commission findsgothamist.com
  6. [6]VICE — Rikers Corrections Officer Accused of Raping Inmates for Years to Stand Trial (May 3, 2017)vice.com
  7. [7]The Intercept — Rape Victim Who Smuggled DNA Evidence Out of Rikers Wins Settlement (Feb 11, 2019)theintercept.com

Last updated on November 2, 2026

The lawsuits and survey data described above are allegations or third-party/government findings; these matters have not been proven in court.

Who the abuser may have been

Correction officers

Sexual abuse by uniformed correction officers responsible for women in custody at RMSC.

Captains & supervisors

Sexual abuse by supervising officers or facility administrators.

Medical & mental-health staff

Sexual abuse by medical or mental-health personnel at the facility.

Other DOC staff & contractors

Sexual abuse by other Department of Correction employees or contractors acting on the facility's behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Rikers Island class action settlement for sexual abuse?+

No. Our firm handles every sexual assault case individually.

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.

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.

Is my consultation confidential?+

Yes. Your consultation is confidential.

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.

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.

Speak with us, confidentially

If you experienced sexual abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island, a free and confidential review will tell you honestly whether you may have a claim and how the law applies to you.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Other NYC Juvenile & ACS Facilities

Horizon Juvenile Center (Bronx)

ACS secure juvenile detention in the Bronx. Active civil litigation alleging staff sexual abuse — not proven in court.

Learn more

Crossroads Juvenile Center (Brooklyn)

ACS secure juvenile detention in Brooklyn, named in the same wave of civil suits; state-audit oversight findings.

Learn more

All NYC Jails

Overview of the NYC jails and juvenile-detention facilities covered on this site.

Learn more

Do You Qualify? Find Out in 60 Seconds.

Survived sexual abuse or gender-motivated violence at a New York City institution? Answer a few quick questions below to find out if you may be eligible — or call us now. Every conversation is confidential and compassionate.

Or call us directly:646-922-9103
Free Confidential No fee unless we win

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

Question 1 of 2

Was the abuse sexual in nature?