New York City has taken a major step toward restoring justice for survivors of gender-motivated violence. Effective January 29, 2026, New York City Bill 1297-A amended the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA), reopening the door for survivors to file civil lawsuits—even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago.
For too long, survivors were denied justice because of technical legal barriers, expired statutes of limitations, or narrow interpretations of the law. Many were told it was “too late” to file a claim. Bill 1297-A changes that.
This amendment creates a new 18-month lookback window and expands who can be held legally responsible, giving survivors in New York City a renewed opportunity to seek accountability, compensation, and closure.
If you experienced gender-motivated violence in New York City, you may now have the right to file a civil lawsuit—even if your case was previously dismissed or never filed.
The New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) allows survivors of violence motivated by gender to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators and institutions responsible for the abuse.
Unlike criminal cases, civil lawsuits do not require a criminal conviction. Survivors can pursue compensation and accountability independently through the civil justice system.
Bill 1297-A strengthens this law by restoring access to survivors whose claims were previously blocked.
One of the most important changes under Bill 1297-A is the creation of a strict 18-month legal lookback window.
During this period, survivors may:
This means survivors who were told their claims were too old may now have a renewed legal path forward.
Importantly, survivors whose cases were dismissed between March 1, 2023 and March 1, 2025 may be able to amend or refile their lawsuits under the amended statute.
This 18-month window is limited. Once it closes, survivors may again lose their opportunity to bring claims under New York City law.
Bill 1297-A clarifies that liability extends beyond individual perpetrators. Survivors may now file civil lawsuits against institutions, organizations, and entities that enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent abuse.
This includes:
Institutions that ignored complaints, failed to supervise employees, or allowed abuse to occur may now be held legally responsible.
This change closes a critical loophole that previously allowed organizations to avoid accountability.
The Gender-Motivated Violence Act covers many forms of violence motivated by gender, including:
These claims can be filed even if:
Civil court provides an independent path to justice.
You may be eligible to file a claim if:
Even if your case was previously dismissed or you were told it was too late to file, you may now qualify under the amended law.
An experienced New York City gender-motivated violence lawyer can evaluate your eligibility confidentially.
Survivors who file civil claims under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act may seek compensation for:
In some cases, courts may also award punitive damages to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter future abuse.
While financial compensation cannot erase trauma, it can provide access to treatment, stability, and a sense of accountability.
The 18-month lookback window is strict and time-sensitive. Filing a claim requires careful legal analysis, evidence review, and procedural compliance.
An experienced gender-motivated violence attorney can:
Taking action within the window is essential to preserving your legal rights.
Yes. The new 18-month lookback window allows survivors to file claims for past abuse, including incidents that occurred decades ago.
Yes. Schools, employers, government agencies, and organizations that enabled or failed to prevent abuse may be held liable.
No. Civil lawsuits are independent of criminal proceedings. You can file a claim even if no criminal charges were filed.
The lookback window is limited to 18 months beginning January 29, 2026. Acting promptly is critical.
If you experienced gender-motivated violence in New York City, you may now have a renewed opportunity to seek justice under Bill 1297-A.
Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro represents survivors in civil lawsuits involving sexual assault, institutional abuse, and gender-based violence throughout New York City.
Our attorneys provide confidential consultations and can help you understand your legal options.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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If you or someone you know is an adult survivor of sexual abuse, it’s important to know that you have legal options and support available. The legal team at Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro is here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our compassionate attorneys will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and stand by your side in the fight for justice.
Call us at (800) 675-8556 or fill out our online contact form to get started. Together, we can work towards holding abusers accountable and achieving the justice you deserve.