If You Were Sexually Abused at a New York City Institution

This is a starting point for anyone who was sexually abused at a New York City institution and is wondering whether the law gives them a way forward. You do not need to know the name of a law, a case number, or a deadline to talk to us. If you were harmed at a NYC jail or juvenile-detention facility, a public or private school, the foster-care or child-welfare system, a hospital or medical setting, a youth program or sports team, or another NYC institution, you are in the right place.

Many survivors who were previously told it was "too late" may now be able to file. The New York City Council enacted Intro 1297-A as Local Law 2026/050, reopening a lookback window so that survivors of gender-motivated violence — including sexual abuse — can bring civil claims that had been time-barred. The Council passed the measure in November 2025 and, after a mayoral veto, overrode that veto to enact it, with the law taking effect on January 29, 2026. A confidential review is the fastest way to learn how that window applies to your situation. ¹

A civil claim is different from a criminal case. A criminal case is brought by prosecutors and can lead to charges or a conviction; a civil claim is brought by a survivor and seeks accountability and compensation. The two are separate, and a civil claim can move forward even where there has been no criminal case. Anything described as an allegation is exactly that — an allegation that has not been proven in court.

Institutions across New York City have faced and resolved abuse claims through the civil system. For example, according to the New York City Comptroller's FY2025 Annual Claims Report, the City has paid roughly $230 million to settle Child Victims Act actions — about 225 settled to date and still growing. Settlements like these are resolved with no admission of liability. We share this only to show that these claims are real and are being heard; whether any particular claim succeeds is decided case by case. ²

Talking to us costs nothing, commits you to nothing, and moves at the pace you choose. We will tell you honestly whether you may have a claim and how the filing window applies to you — and if we are not the right fit, we will say so.