New York City Law Provides Survivors Additional Time To File Sex Abuse Cases
On November 25, 2025, the New York City Council passed INT-1297, an extension of the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (“GMVA”), giving survivors additional time to file lawsuits against their perpetrators. Although INT-1297 was vetoed by Mayor Adams, the City Council overrode his veto on January 29, 2026.
What Is The GMVA?
The GMVA is a law that was passed by the City Council in 2000 and allows survivors to sue individuals and entities for committing, directing, enabling, and/or participating in sexual abuse. For nearly twenty decades, the GMVA was under-utilized by litigants.
However, in 2019, the New York Appellate Division held in Breest v. Haggis, that sexual assault is an act of gender-based violence, and falls within the GMVA’s protections. Subsequently, plaintiffs began successfully asserting claims under the GMVA for sexual assault, forcible touching, and other forms of sex abuse.
In 2022, the Council passed an amendment that opened a revival window for previously time-barred claims until February 28, 2025.
What Are The Implications Of The 2026 Amendment?
The 2026 Amendment reopens the revival window for eighteen months until July 29, 2027. This revival window allows survivors to file sexual abuse claims for acts that occurred between December 19, 2000 and January 9, 2022, even if they were previously time barred.
The Amendment recognizes that it can take survivors years to grapple with the trauma resulting from sex abuse, and correspondingly, seek justice for the harm they’ve suffered.
If you experienced sexual assault or gender-motivated violence in New York City, contact us for a confidential consultation. We will assess how the 2026 GMVA amendment affects your ability to file, explain your options, and help you move forward.
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Jonathan Goldhirsch is an Associate in Faruqi & Faruqi’s New York office. Jonathan’s practice is focused on employment litigation.
