New York’s Adult Survivors Act

New York has enacted laws which permit adult survivors of certain specified sexual crimes to seek money compensation in civil court from their abusers and the institutions which enabled the abusers, even if the crimes took place a long time ago. The new law will become effective on November 24, 2022. Even if the time to sue (known as the statute of limitations) has run out, victims will now be permitted to file lawsuits up until November 23, 2023. In order to be eligible to sue, the victim needs to have been at least 18 years old at the time when the sexual misconduct occurred. After November 23, 2023, victims will no longer be able to sue (unless the statute of limitations has not run out).

The Child Victims Act, which gave similar rights to who were abused before they turned 18, expired in August 2022; such individual may still file lawsuits provided that the statute of limitations has not expired.