By Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma
With November upon us, the window is closing quickly on the New York Adult Survivors Act, which gave adult victims of sexual assault a chance to bring their claims in court even if the assult happened years ago.
The law became effective for one year starting on November 24, 2022. That means that November 23, 2023 is the last day to bring old claims under the Adult Survivors Act. If you were raped, sexually abused, or sexually assaulted and want to seek compensation for your injuries, speak to a qualified victims rights lawyer immediately. Preparing legal papers takes time and there are only a few weeks left before the window closes.
Sexual assault may include assaults against dancers in strip clubs, domestic partner sexual abuse, date rape, and non-consensual sex of any other kind. If you are not sure whether you have a claim, contact a lawyer right away and let them assess whether or not you have a claim and whether or not you might be able to collect damages from the perpetrator. The ASA only covers assaults that happened after the victim turned 18 (a separate law, the Child Victims Act, extended the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children).
The significance of the NY Adult Survivors Act cannot be overstated. Previously, many survivors of sexual abuse faced insurmountable barriers in seeking justice due to restrictive statutes of limitations. Often, survivors would not come forward until years later, by which time the legal window to make a claim had closed. This law removes these barriers, recognizing the complexities and trauma that often prevent survivors from speaking out earlier.
Many survivors of serious sexual abuse struggle with physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that can persist for years. The trauma resulting from sexual abuse can lead to mental health issues, relationship difficulties, and other lifelong struggles.
But the Adult Survivors Act has limitations; the toughest one is happening very soon. If you were an adult victim of sexual abuse, now is the time to contact a sex crimes attorney and pursue your claim.
Photo by Engin Akyurt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-woman-with-black-and-purple-eye-shadow-1475426/
Related: Doctor Sexual Misconduct Defense NY