Former NYC Stripper-Turned-Lawyer Files Lawsuits Against Clubs for Sexual Abuse and Trafficking

Christine DeMaria Sues Five New York Strip Clubs, Alleging Rape, Assault, and Trafficking

A former exotic dancer who is now a practicing attorney has filed multiple civil lawsuits against several New York strip clubs and their managers, alleging she was sexually assaulted, trafficked, and retaliated against for reporting abuse.

Christine DeMaria, 37, claims she was repeatedly raped, beaten, and exploited while working in VIP lounges across Manhattan strip clubs, including Sapphire 60, Vivid Cabaret, Hoops Cabaret, and Gossip on Long Island. Her suits allege that club owners and management knowingly allowed customers to sexually assault and traffic dancers while profiting from their exploitation.

“When I was dancing, I watched clubs take money to turn a blind eye to what was happening to me and to other dancers,” DeMaria told The New York Post. “I was bit above my left breast so hard it bled. I was sexually assaulted by customers while on stage. A guy choked me with a belt and raped me up against a wall. I was fired for reporting a rape.”

DeMaria’s lawsuits describe a culture of violence, coercion, and retaliation that thrives in New York’s adult entertainment industry — one where management often “disregarded human life” and profited from the systemic exploitation of women.

Allegations of Abuse and Retaliation Inside NYC Clubs

According to court documents, DeMaria’s complaints include rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, forcible touching, assault, battery, sex trafficking, and unlawful imprisonment.

At Sapphire 60, DeMaria claims she was assaulted by patrons and then terminated for reporting the attacks. In her lawsuit, she is seeking $10 million in damages against the club’s ownership group.

She also filed a $15 million lawsuit against the parent company that operates Vivid Cabaret and Hoops Cabaret, alleging similar abuses including rape and sex trafficking.

Her third lawsuit, filed against Gossip on Long Island, accuses the club of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, seeking $2.5 million in damages.

DeMaria’s legal filings claim that club managers routinely ignored reports of sexual misconduct, punished dancers who refused to perform sex acts, and failed to protect workers from violent customers. “Too many strip clubs operate as if women who agree to dance at their club also agree to be sexually assaulted or even raped,” said attorney Megan Goddard, who represents DeMaria and several other former dancers in Manhattan Supreme Court.

“Strip club managers often turn a blind eye to assaults and retaliate against dancers who report them,” Goddard said. “‘What did you expect?’ is not a lawful — or human — response to an employee reporting a rape on your premises.”

From Survivor to Advocate

DeMaria’s story of survival and transformation is as striking as the allegations she now brings forward. Originally from New Jersey, DeMaria says she was trafficked to Arizona at age 15 by an older man who had groomed her. Years later, after leaving the industry in 2021, she decided to pursue justice not only for herself but for other women facing exploitation.

While attending New York Law School, she founded a nonprofit organization called Switch (Sex Workers in Transition Compassion Home). The organization offers education, career guidance, and emotional support to dancers seeking to leave the sex industry and rebuild their lives.

DeMaria’s advocacy was recognized in 2023 when she received the David Prize, a prestigious $200,000 grant awarded to visionary New Yorkers creating positive change in their communities.

“I didn’t have the resources or knowledge to pursue justice when I was dancing,” DeMaria said. “Now, I intend to hold these clubs accountable for abusing women in violation of the law.”

A Broader Problem in the Adult Entertainment Industry

DeMaria’s cases underscore the broader issue of exploitation within adult entertainment venues, where vulnerable workers—many of whom are survivors of trafficking or abuse—are exposed to dangerous conditions.

Advocates say the adult club industry often operates with minimal oversight, allowing a culture of sexual violence and coercion to persist. Survivors are often threatened or blacklisted if they attempt to report assaults, while management prioritizes profits over safety.

Her lawsuit has already inspired other women to come forward. Three former dancers have joined DeMaria’s case against Sapphire, alleging they too experienced sexual violence and emotional trauma while working at the club.

Holding Abusive Establishments Accountable

While the lawsuits are ongoing, DeMaria’s determination to fight back has given new visibility to issues long hidden behind closed doors. Her goal, she said, is to ensure that no woman is ever punished for reporting abuse and that clubs are held to the same legal standards as any other workplace.

Sapphire’s representatives have denied wrongdoing but confirmed that they take the allegations “very seriously” and are cooperating with authorities.

Legal Advocacy for Survivors in New York

Cases like Christine DeMaria’s demonstrate the importance of legal advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and trafficking, particularly in industries where abuse is normalized.

Thomas Giuffra, Esq., managing attorney of Survivors of Abuse NY, has long represented survivors of sexual violence and institutional negligence in New York. His firm focuses on ensuring survivors are heard, believed, and supported through every stage of the legal process.

“Survivors deserve to be treated with dignity, not disbelief,” said Thomas Giuffra, Esq. “When institutions profit from abuse, we fight to hold them accountable and help survivors reclaim their power.”

Empowering Survivors to Seek Justice

Survivors of workplace sexual abuse and trafficking have the right to seek both criminal prosecution and civil restitution. Through civil litigation, they can hold abusers—and the companies that enabled them—financially and publicly accountable.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or trafficking in New York, contact Survivors of Abuse NY for a confidential consultation.

Source:

https://nypost.com/2025/11/08/us-news/former-nyc-stripper-files-civil-suits-against-clubs-managers/