A new law in New York will allow sexual assault victims a one-time opportunity to sue over their abuse starting Thursday. It’s expected to bring a new wave of allegations against prison guards, business managers, doctors and some prominent figures including former President Trump.
The Adult Survivors Act dictates that New York State waive for one year the normal deadlines for filing lawsuits over sex crimes, allowing survivors to seek compensation for assaults that happened years or even decades ago.
It’s modeled on the state’s 2019 Child Victims Act which waived for two years the statutes of limitations to sue for sexual abuse that adults suffered as children. During that window, nearly 11,000 people sued churches, hospitals, schools, camps, scout groups and other institutions.
E. Jean Carroll, a longtime advice columnist for Elle magazine who says Donald Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, is expected to use the new law to file suit against him.
Trump denies Carroll’s allegations, claiming she made it up to sell a book. Carroll is already suing Trump for defamation, saying his public denials and disparaging comments have damaged her reputation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed the Adult Survivors Act into law six months ago. New York will begin accepting electronic filings on Thanksgiving Day.
