New York Sex Trafficking Lawyer

Meet Our Lead Civil Sexual Abuse and Trafficking Lawyer, Thomas Giuffra  

Attorney Thomas P. Giuffra is a nationally recognized trial attorney dedicated to seeking justice for survivors and holding traffickers—and the institutions that enable them—accountable. With a reputation as a fearless litigator, Tom has represented survivors in high-profile cases, such as those against Harvey Weinstein and Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, as well as institutions and corporations.  

Recognized by his peers as “outstanding in the field of advocacy,” Tom takes an aggressive and strategic approach to litigation, ensuring that survivors receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sex trafficking, Tom Giuffra and our legal team are prepared to fight for your rights and pursue the justice you deserve. 

Federal and State Sex Trafficking Laws 

In the United States, sex trafficking is defined at the federal level by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. According to the TVPA, sex trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, where such an act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or where the person induced to perform such an act is under 18 years of age ((22 U.S.C. § 7102(11)(A)). 

New York State Sex Trafficking Laws 

In New York State, sex trafficking is defined under Penal Law § 230.34. An individual is guilty of sex trafficking if they intentionally advance or profit from prostitution by: 

• Unlawfully providing a person with drugs or intoxicants to impair their judgment; 
• Making false statements or withholding information to induce or maintain a person in prostitution; 
• Withholding or destroying a person’s government identification to restrict their movement; 
• Requiring prostitution as repayment of a debt; 
• Using force or engaging in any scheme to compel or induce a person to engage in prostitution. 

Additionally, Penal Law § 230.34-a specifically addresses sex trafficking of a child, stating that an individual aged 21 or older is guilty if they intentionally advance or profit from the prostitution of a person under 18 years old.  

Sex trafficking is often conducted within massage parlors, escort services, nightclubs, adult entertainment venues, and, increasingly, online platforms. The use of these businesses as fronts for trafficking operations makes the crime particularly difficult to detect.   

The Role of Civil Lawsuits in Seeking Justice and Compensation 

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) has significantly enhanced the legal avenues available to survivors of trafficking, facilitating both criminal prosecution and civil litigation against traffickers and their enablers.  

Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA established federal crimes for human trafficking and, notably, through the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003, introduced a civil remedy provision under 18 U.S.C. § 1595. This provision empowers victims to file civil lawsuits in federal court against individuals or entities involved in their trafficking, including those who knowingly benefit from such activities.  

Consequently, survivors can seek restitution and damages in a civil claim beyond the criminal justice system, holding perpetrators and facilitators financially accountable for their exploitation. While monetary compensation cannot undo the trauma one has endured, civil claims offer victims a way to pursue justice outside the criminal court. These claims can also hold third parties accountable if their negligence enabled the abuse or allowed it to continue through inaction. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in Sex Trafficking Cases?

Sex trafficking extends beyond the trafficker, often involving a network of individuals, institutions, and businesses that enable it, whether through deliberate complicity or negligent inaction.  

Survivors can pursue lawsuits against: 

• Traffickers and Recruiters – The individuals who directly coerce, manipulate, or force victims into sex trafficking. 
• Hotels and Motels – Establishments that knowingly or negligently allow trafficking to occur on their premises without intervention. 
• Online Platforms – Websites and apps that facilitate trafficking activities by enabling recruitment, advertisement, or exploitation. 
• Corporate Entities and Employers – Businesses that profit from trafficking or turn a blind eye to illegal operations within their supply chains. 
• Transportation Services – Airlines, bus companies, and rideshare services that fail to report suspicious activity or knowingly participate in trafficking networks. 
• Financial Institutions – Banks and payment processors that facilitate illicit transactions tied to trafficking operations. 
• Property Owners and Landlords – Those who knowingly rent properties used as trafficking hubs or brothels. 

By holding not just traffickers but also enablers and profit-seeking entities accountable, survivors can seek justice, financial restitution, and systemic change to combat human trafficking. Our firm invests significant resources into the individual representation of our clients and is fully committed to handling all case matters in a trauma-informed and highly professional manner. 

Potential Compensation 

Sex trafficking survivors may be eligible for compensation in a civil claim, including the following: 

• Medical Expenses – Emergency care, hospitalization, therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment costs. 
• Psychological and Emotional Distress – Compensation for trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings – Recovery for lost income due to trafficking and the inability to work in the future. 
• Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical and emotional toll endured as a result of trafficking. 
• Restitution for Forced Labor or Exploitation – Recovery of unpaid wages or compensation for financial exploitation. 
• Punitive Damages – Additional damages meant to punish traffickers and those who profited from trafficking. 

Further, the burden of proof in civil lawsuits is lower than in criminal cases, increasing the likelihood that survivors can secure compensation and justice, even if a criminal conviction has not been obtained. 

Statute of Limitations 

In New York State, the statute of limitations for civil sex trafficking claims has been a focal point of recent legislative efforts. Historically, survivors faced a five-year statute of limitations to initiate civil actions against their traffickers.  

Recognizing the profound trauma and the time survivors often need to come forward, lawmakers have proposed eliminating this limitation. Notably, Senate Bill S349A, introduced in 2023, aims to remove the statute of limitations for both criminal prosecution and civil actions related to certain sex trafficking offenses, thereby reviving previously time-barred cases. This bill has garnered significant support, passing the Senate unanimously in 2023. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced New York Sex Trafficking Lawyer 

Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP has extensive experience handling sex trafficking cases in New York. Our attorneys offer empathetic, professional, and personalized representation on our clients’ behalf, as we believe every case requires individualized attention and resources. Our experienced New York sexual abuse and assault attorneys, led by the renowned Thomas P. Giuffra, invite you to call our firm or send us a message to discuss your case confidentially and at no cost. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your losses.