What is the New York Adult Survivors Act?

What You Should Know About the New York Adult Survivors Act

If you read or watch New York news, you probably heard about the Adult Survivors Act. The Adult Survivors Act (ASA)is generating much buzz around the nation, especially here in New York, where it could open the door for thousands of victims of sexual abuse to file lawsuits.

Many people are asking important questions about this recently passed law. What does the ASA say? What might it mean for my family and me? Am I entitled to compensation for my injuries from sexual abuse?

Let’s examine what you should know about the Adult Survivors Act.

What Is the Adult Survivors Act?

New York Governor Hochul signed the Adult Survivors Act (S.66A/A.648A) into law on May 24, 2022.

Upon signing, Governor Hochul stated, “Today, we take an important step in empowering survivors across New York to use their voices and hold their abusers accountable.”

What Does the Adult Survivors Act Say?

The ASA creates a one-year lookback window for survivors of sexual assault or abuse that occurred when they were adults (over 18) to sue their abusers. This window to file a lawsuit exists regardless of how long ago the sexual abuse occurred.

In other words, if you were sexually assaulted or abused when you were over 18, you will have one full year to file a lawsuit against your abuser, regardless of how much time has passed. Even if the statute of limitations previously expired, you will have one year to file a claim.

When Does the ASA Window Open and Close?

The one-year window is set to begin “six months from signing.” Six months from May 24, 2022, is November 24, 2022. The lookback window will be one-year and should close on November 24, 2023.

What Types of Sexual Abuse Are Included in the Adult Survivors Act?

If you were sexually abused as an adult, you might be able to file a lawsuit. Sexual abuse can include rape, attempted rape, groping, unwanted touching, forcible kissing, and more.

Who Can I Sue Under the Adult Survivors Act?

The ASA allows you to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser or attacker. It also allows you to file a civil lawsuit against a business, organization, or institution that failed to protect you.

For example, if you were a patient sexually assaulted by a physician, you might also be able to sue a hospital that ignored complaints about their behavior. If an athletic coach sexually abused you, you might also have a claim against the university that employed them. If you were a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, you might have a claim against the church.

What Compensation Is Available Under the New York Adult Survivors Act?

A lawsuit under the ASA might result in a settlement or a verdict awarding you damages. Recoverable compensation can depend on various factors, including the extent of your physical and emotional injuries and whether any parties “covered up” the sexual abuse.

Compensation can include medical expenses you incurred, the cost of therapy, addiction rehab, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

What Should You Do if You Were the Victim of Sexual Abuse as an Adult in New York?

If you were sexually abused or assaulted over the age of 18, you might still be able to have your day in court and seek accountability from your attacker. Sexual abuse survivors report that pursuing legal action can contribute to a sense of closure and healing.

Finally, after years of suffering the shame and pain caused by sexual abuse, they can receive some relief. Compensation will not undo the harm of sexual abuse, but it can help survivors move forward.

Find out what your legal options are by calling our experienced New York sexual abuse lawyers.

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP for a Free Evaluation of Your Adult Survivors Act Lawsuit

Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, to find out if you are eligible to file a sexual abuse lawsuit under the New York Adult Survivors Act. We are reviewing sexual abuse claims and would be happy to evaluate your case free of charge, at no risk to you. Call us at (800) 403-6191 to schedule your free ASA consultation.

 

Source:

Southern Baptist Church Releases List Of Sex Abusers

Baptist Leaders Release Database of Sex Abusers

An article in the Washington Post on May 27, 2022, revealed that the Southern Baptist Church has been hiding information about sexual abuse under its watch. The Executive Committee for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) released a list of “alleged church-related sexual abuse offenders,” kept secret for at least ten years.

According to NPR, the list includes approximately 700 entries from situations that span mostly from 2000 to 2019. The list entries released to the public are “entries that reference an admission, confession, guilty plea, conviction, judgment, sentencing, or inclusion on a sex offender registry.”

Evidence Shows Decades of Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up

The list comes with allegations that various individuals within the SBC completely mishandled allegations of sexual abuse and that some committee members maintained private lists of ministers accused of misconduct. There are additional allegations that survivors received pushback when they came forward with stories of sexual abuse and that the SBC was far more concerned with protecting its reputation and pocketbook than victims.

Despite knowing sexual abuse was occurring, there is little to no evidence that anyone took steps to remove abusive ministers from positions of authority and protect victims.

The long list of credibly accused sexual abusers includes pastors and ministers from Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Missouri, North Carolina, and other states.

Report on Sexual Abuse in Baptist Churches Comes After Months-Long Investigation

Guidepost Solutions conducted a seven-month investigation. Guidepost is an independent firm the Executive Committee hired after pressure from delegates to the last SBC national meeting.

Guidepost interviewed sexual abuse victims of all ages, children, and adults. They all spoke of trauma from the sexual abuse and the response from churches and the SBC. Many survivors indicated their calls, emails, and letters were ignored. Others said they were mistreated.
Some survivors said their efforts to seek help or report perpetrators were actively thwarted.

What Happens Now?

The report by Guidepost suggests the SBC take steps to reform sexual abuse policies and practices. Recommendations include creating an administrative body to oversee long-term reforms regarding sexual abuse and sexual misconduct in the Baptist Church.

It might be too late for many survivors to pursue legal remedies against the SBC or the alleged abusers. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations might have expired. Some states, however, might decide to give sexual abuse survivors more time by passing legislation.

For example, New York just passed the Adult Survivors Act. This law will provide many victims of sexual abuse a one-year lookback window to file lawsuits against sexual abusers and the institutions that protected them. They will be able to file claims even though the initial statute of limitations has expired.

Time will tell if other states do the same for their victims of sexual abuse. Given the number of victims and alleged sexual abusers hidden by the Baptist Church, it would give many survivors a chance to seek accountability.

If You Are a Sexual Abuse Survivor in New York, Call Alonso Krangle, LLP

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse in New York, you might still have time to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser or the church, school, or other institution that protected them.
Call us today at 800-403-6191 for a free evaluation of your sexual abuse lawsuit.