The Adult Survivors Act launched over 2,500 sex abuse suits. Now, it’s expiring

The Adult Survivors Act, a special New York law that temporarily extended the time limit for filing sexual abuse lawsuits, is set to expire after Thanksgiving. Over the past year, this law has enabled more than 2,500 lawsuits to be filed, targeting individuals accused of sexual misconduct, including notable figures like former President Donald Trump, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, and comedian-actor Russell Brand.

While some of these lawsuits have been directed at employers and institutions, such as hospitals, for allegedly not doing enough to prevent abuse by their employees, the majority have been filed against the state, New York City, and local counties. These cases involve allegations of abuse within state prisons and local jail systems.

The Adult Survivors Act provided survivors with an opportunity to seek justice and be heard. Many survivors, like Alexandria Johnson, who alleges she was sexually assaulted while incarcerated, emphasized the importance of having a voice in such cases. However, after the law expires, individuals will once again be barred from suing over abuse that occurred in the distant past.

This law was part of a broader effort in several states to revisit statutes of limitations for civil legal claims arising from sexual assaults, particularly for those who experienced abuse as children. Advocates argued that the extended window allowed traumatized adults to hold powerful individuals and institutions accountable for their actions.

While precise counts of filings under the Adult Survivors Act were not yet available, it is clear that many of these cases were related to abuse within the prison system. The law was modeled after the Child Victims Act, which allowed survivors of childhood abuse to file claims, resulting in nearly 11,000 lawsuits being filed, including many against the Roman Catholic Church.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law opening the one-year window for adult survivors in 2022, acknowledging that the initial law had overlooked adult survivors of abuse. Subsequently, high-profile lawsuits were filed against individuals like Trump, Harvey Weinstein, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Russell Brand, accusing them of various forms of sexual misconduct.

These lawsuits have drawn significant attention to the issue of sexual abuse, both within high-profile settings and more commonplace situations, such as spas and workplaces. They highlight the need for accountability and justice for survivors, particularly within the prison system, where attorney Adam Slater referred to the problem as “widespread and systemic.”

Despite legal challenges and denials by the state and city corrections departments, survivors like Alexandria Johnson continue to seek justice and healing, emphasizing the profound impact that these traumatic experiences have had on their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

More about Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

• New York’s Adult Survivors Act
• Child Victims Act and Adult Survivors Act
• High-profile Lawsuits under the Adult Survivors Act