One year civil lookback window to sue abusers closes on November 23, 2023.
NEW YORK, NY (10/06/2023) —The New York State Adult Survivors Act (ASA) provides a one-year look back window for sexual abuse survivors who are outside the statute of limitations to sue their abuser or a negligent institution in court; that window will close on November 23, 2023. Survivors sexually assaulted as an adult can file a civil suit against their abuser until the window closes, even if the statute of limitation has expired.
The historic passage of the Adult Survivors Act has empowered survivors to seek justice in the courts. Since the window opened, over 400 suits have been filed. The ASA is based on the Child Victims Act (CVA) for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse which extended the criminal & civil statutes of limitations and created a one-year lookback window for survivors to file a civil suit against their abuser and negligent institutions. Most notably, journalist E. Jean Carroll filed and won her Adult Survivors Act civil suit against former President Trump in May 2023, being awarded $5 million.
The ASA became law as a result of the advocacy efforts of bill sponsors Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and the powerful voices of the Safe Horizon Adult Survivors Act Survivors Coalition whose members include Evelyn Yang, Drew Dixon, Marissa Hoechstetter, Donna Hylton, Alison Turkos, AJ (Audrey Johnson), Robert Bender, Alec Govi, Asher Lovy, Bridie Farrell, Sara Ziff and others.
Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim service agency, and the Coalition advocated tirelessly for years to get the ASA passed. These survivors and bill sponsors also appear in Safe Horizon’s PSA campaign informing survivors about their options under the Adult Survivors Act lookback window. The PSA aired in Times Square and on social media platforms, and over 10,000 people have viewed Safe Horizon’s website with detailed information about the ASA.
“The Adult Survivors Act marks a monumental victory for survivors whose courage and commitment resulted in a viable path to justice and healing for thousands,” said Liz Roberts, Safe Horizon CEO. “The one-year lookback window has enabled survivors to take back their power by pursuing a suit against the person who caused them harm, or a negligent institution, without fear of the statute of limitations. We are grateful to the survivors and advocates who fought so hard for the ASA to become law and support all survivors in their healing journey.”
“Survivors have 48 days left to file a civil suit against their abuser before the Adult Survivors Act (ASA) window closes on November 23. As of mid-September, more than 450 cases involving hundreds of plaintiffs have been filed under the ASA. On Tuesday alone, 301 survivors used the ASA to file suit against Columbia University for covering up Dr. Robert Hadden’s his systemic sexual abuse. The past year has been extremely moving to witness and impactful for survivors who can see, over and over again, that New York stands with them. I thank Assembly Member Rosenthal, Safe Horizon, and the incredible survivor-advocates like Eveyln Yang, Sara Ziff, and E. Jean Carroll for their voice and support of this critical bill,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
“Hundreds of survivors of sexual assault have sought justice through the Adult Survivors Act, but the window to file a case in court will soon close,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF – Manhattan), Assembly sponsor of the Adult Survivors Act. “Archaic laws have long shielded abusers and shut survivors out of the opportunity to have their voices heard and seek justice through the courts. With the work of Safe Horizon and many other advocates, the ASA has successfully given power back to survivors. For anyone considering an action, there is still time to file a case! Be sure to do so before the lookback period ends on November 23, 2023,” said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal.
“I’m inspired by the courage of Emmy award-winning actress, Julia Ormond, who filed a lawsuit earlier this week using the Adult Survivors Act to demand accountability from her abuser, Harvey Weinstein, and from Weinstein’s enablers in Hollywood, whose cumulative actions led to the derailment of her career. I’m grateful to have been part of the coalition of survivor-activists who helped to make it possible for Ormond and all victims of sexual assault in the state of New York to receive some modicum of justice,” said Drew Dixon, member, Safe Horizon Adult Survivors Act Coalition.
“Sexual abuse is pervasive in the modeling industry. Due to factors such as trauma, financial dependence, and fear of retaliation, many survivors take years to report, only to find it’s too late to take action. Now, with the Adult Survivors Act, there’s a pathway to pursue justice. With the lookback window to file a lawsuit closing in just a few weeks, we hope survivors who are interested in exploring their options will act now,” said Sara Ziff, Executive Director, Model Alliance.
For more information on the ASA, survivors can visit www.safehorizon.org/asa or call the Safe Horizon hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE.
For Press inquiries, please contact: communications@safehorizon.org