In addition to representing victims of sexual abuse and assault, we are proud to represent those who have been the subject of gender violence. Since the statute of limitations window on such assaults opened on March 1, 2023 victims of gender-motivated violence have until March 1, 2025 to file civil claims in the City of New York.
This means that were once time-barred (the statute of limitations had expired) can now file civil lawsuits if they were subjected to gender-motivated violence in the city of New York.
The Gender Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) understands “crimes of violence” as “an act or series of acts that would constitute a misdemeanor or felony against the person as defined in state or federal law.” Under the GMVA, anyone who wishes to bring a civil lawsuit against their abuser must be able to show that the conduct presented a “serious risk of physical injury.” The plaintiff will also need to show that the act or acts of violence occurred, at least in part, due to the abuser’s hostility against the plaintiff’s gender. The plaintiff must also prove that they were injured as a result of the violence.
The Act also provides that institutions that failed to act in order to prevent or stop such violence may be held liable in civil court.
If you were harmed or injured related to gender violence, contact me at Rheingold, Giuffra, Ruffo, Plotkin, & Hellman for a free initial consultation.
