How a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Works in New York City

A sexual abuse lawsuit is a civil case. You bring it, through a lawyer, to hold the person who harmed you responsible and, in some cases, an institution that enabled the harm. It is separate from any criminal case. In New York City, a local law called the Gender-Motivated Violence Act can give survivors a civil claim. 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. ⁵

New York City has its own civil law for survivors of gender-motivated violence. Its formal name is the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law (NYC Administrative Code § 10-1101 and following), often called the Gender-Motivated Violence Act. The City Council passed it in 2000 and has amended it since. ¹³

Sexual assault can qualify. A New York appeals court has held that rape and sexual assault meet the law's requirement that the violence be motivated by gender (Breest v. Haggis, 180 A.D.3d 83 (1st Dep't 2019)). ³

You do not need a criminal conviction. The law applies whether or not the conduct led to criminal charges, prosecution or conviction, and a police report is not required. ³

The person who committed the abuse can be held responsible. The law also reaches others who directed, enabled or took part in it, and depending on the facts that can include an institution or employer. If a claim succeeds, the law lets a court award damages and attorney's fees. Whether any claim succeeds depends on the facts. ¹⁴

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

Your lawyer investigates, gathers records and witnesses, files the lawsuit, handles the court process, negotiates with the other side and prepares you for anything that may involve testimony. You make the decisions. There is no upfront cost, and no fee unless we win. Your consultation is confidential.

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 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.

Survivors of sexual abuse or sexual assault by staff or others working at a New York City institution may be eligible to file a claim, including sexual abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island. This page covers abuse in New York City's five boroughs.

Institutions across New York City have faced and resolved abuse claims through the civil system. According to City & State NY's October 2024 review of court and public records, New York City had paid more than $160 million to settle more than 150 Child Victims Act actions. 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 law applies to you — and if we are not the right fit, we will say so.