New York Survivors of Childhood Sexual Assault

An Experienced Team of Compassionate New York Lawyers Committed to Helping Survivors Obtain the Justice They Deserve

Sexual assault can come at the hands of authority figures, including clergy, Boy Scout leaders, coaches, doctors, teachers… the list goes on and on. Sadly, many individuals do not report the assault while they are young, as the perpetrators are often in a position of authority. This can make it especially hard to disclose abuse, as many survivors must first overcome the understandable fear of their perpetrator. Additionally, some survivors are ashamed to bring sexual abuse to light.

However, taking steps to hold a perpetrator responsible for their actions is very important. Not only can this provide victims with a sense that justice has been served, but it can also reduce the likelihood of similar sexual assaults occurring in the future.

At the Neumann Law Group, our knowledgeable sexual assault attorneys have extensive experience handling cases brought by New York survivors of childhood sexual assault. We understand the challenges you’ve overcome and tailor our representation to your specific needs and wants. We offer free and confidential consultations, during which we will safely discuss what happened to you, what rights you have, and outline all your available options.

How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Assault Case in New York?

New York has some of the longest statutes of limitations for sexual assault cases. However, the specific amount of time you have to file a claim depends on a few factors.

New York recently passed the Child Victims Act (“CVA”), which opened a two-year window in which adults can file suit against abusers or the organizations that provided the abusers with access to vulnerable children. Prior to the enactment of this law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse had to file a lawsuit before they turned 23, or they would lose the claim forever. Under the CVA, regardless of when you were assaulted, you had until August 2020 to file a claim.

As a result of the Child Victims Act, many survivors of a childhood sexual assault brought lawsuits against the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America, and a host of other institutions, such as education and athletic organizations.

While this window has now closed, the CVA also extended the statute of limitations for all sexual assaults that occurred after the CVA was passed. Under the revised statute of limitations, survivors now have until they are 55 to file a claim.

More recently, in November 2022, New York passed the Adult Victims Act (“AVA”). Under the AVA, survivors of abuse that occurred as an adult were given until November 2023 to file a claim, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. However, this window has also closed, meaning those who experienced abuse as a child may not be able to pursue a claim any longer, unless New York passes similar legislation in the future.

However, under the 2019 changes to the sexual assault statute of limitations, anyone who experienced abuse after the passage of the CVA can still pursue a claim against their perpetrator until they reach the age of 55.

Are You a Sexual Assault Survivor Looking for Justice?

If you or a loved one is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in New York, the dedicated personal injury lawyers at the Neumann Law Firm are here to help. Our team of attorneys regularly handles all types of civil sex assault cases on behalf of survivors, helping to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions while, at the same time, connecting survivors with meaningful compensation. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, and anything we discuss with you will remain confidential. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, call the Neumann Law Group at 800-525-6386. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form, and we will reach out to you shortly.