Claims of sexual assault at NY prisons flood in as deadline looms

Gothamist, October 27, 2023: Claims of sexual assault at NY prisons flood in as deadline looms

“In October, Vanessa, who was released in 2020, filed a civil lawsuit against the state of New York, saying the state’s negligence led to her abuse. She is one of 2,045 people who have so far filed lawsuits under the Adult Survivors Act, a law that gives anyone who says they were sexually abused a one-time opportunity to file civil suits long after the statute of limitations for most criminal cases has expired. Lawyers say they plan to file more lawsuits on behalf of formerly incarcerated people before the law’s Nov. 23 deadline.

“Gothamist is withholding Vanessa’s last name because she is still on parole and fears retaliation. She is using an alias even in her legal filings.

“The legislation was bolstered by high-profile advocates, including music exec Drew Dixon, who went public with rape allegations against Russell Simmons, and Evelyn Yang, who accused Columbia University OB/GYN Robert Hadden of sexual abuse.

“But some legislators who supported the law and even lawyers representing victims said they were surprised by the large response from people who had served time. Some of the lawsuits filed go back 40 years, attorneys say. In some cases, multiple plaintiffs are naming the same correction officers, said Anna Kull, an attorney at Levy Konigsberg who says she will file more than 500 individual civil lawsuits on behalf of once incarcerated people by next month.”

Additional reading:

Daily Beast, October 20, 2023: A Tidal Wave of Sex-Abuse Claims Hits NY as Loophole Closes

Ms. Magazine, October 13, 2023: As the New York Adult Survivors Act Nears Expiration, Survivors of Dr. Robert Hadden Are Left in the Dark