Rally in NYC Demands Justice for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Prisons and Jails

One Year After the Adult Survivors Act, Formerly Incarcerated Women Speak Out

In a powerful demonstration outside the New York County Courthouse, survivors of sexual abuse in New York prisons and jails gathered to demand justice and accountability from state and city officials. The rally marked the one-year anniversary of the Adult Survivors Act (ASA), a critical law that opened a one-year window for survivors of sexual assault to file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Among the hundreds gathered were formerly incarcerated women, attorneys, and advocates who called attention to the 2,200+ legal claims filed under the ASA—many involving correction officers accused of systemic and long-standing sexual abuse inside facilities like Rikers Island and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.

Amplifying Voices Silenced Behind Bars

Tasha Beasley, who was incarcerated at Rikers in the 1990s, shared a deeply emotional message: “When I was raped, I didn’t have a microphone. Now, I have a voice and I’m going to use it.”

Her words underscored the stories of hundreds of women who say they were ignored, silenced, and retraumatized by a correctional system that failed to protect them from sexual violence.

Attorney Adam Slater, who is representing many of the plaintiffs, revealed that 1,553 lawsuits were filed against New York State for abuse in state prisons and another 686 against New York City for alleged abuse at Rikers Island. The scale of the crisis—documented cases of STDs, pregnancies, forced abortions, and physical trauma—illustrates the devastating human toll behind prison walls.

What Is the Adult Survivors Act?

The Adult Survivors Act was signed into law in 2022, offering survivors a rare chance to seek justice regardless of expired statutes of limitations. From November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023, victims of sexual abuse in New York were permitted to file lawsuits, even if the incidents occurred decades ago.

This one-year window was particularly impactful for those abused while incarcerated, where power imbalances and institutional cover-ups often make reporting nearly impossible.

State and City Under Fire for Inaction

Speakers at the rally criticized both state and city leadership for failing to act decisively. New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse condemned Mayor Eric Adams for downplaying the abuses, saying, “It shows a lack of respect and reverence for our women.”

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) issued a statement affirming a zero-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct, but survivors and their attorneys insist the reality doesn’t match the rhetoric. “We’re not going away,” said survivor and advocate Donna Hylton, who served 27 years in a state facility. “This pain is real. The trauma is real. And the silence from our government is unacceptable.”

The Legal Path to Justice

As the lawsuits move through the courts, the survivors are not only seeking compensation—they’re demanding structural reforms. Their stories reveal a pattern of abuse that was tolerated, hidden, or outright ignored. Many survivors said they were repeatedly assaulted, infected with STDs, impregnated by correction officers, and then coerced into silence.

Attorney Slater asked a question that still hangs heavy in the air: “Are the 2,200 people who were raped while incarcerated in New York less human or have fewer rights in the eyes of the city and the state?”

Survivors Deserve Justice—No Matter Where the Abuse Happened

Sexual abuse behind bars is one of the most egregious violations of human rights. It strips victims of their autonomy, safety, and dignity—often in environments where help is hardest to access.

Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY, represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse, including cases involving correctional facilities, psychiatric institutions, and care centers. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted while incarcerated in New York, we are here to help you reclaim your voice and your rights.

Our legal team at Survivors of Abuse NY provides compassionate, confidential consultations and aggressively pursues justice through civil litigation.

Contact Survivors of Abuse NY Today

Justice delayed doesn’t have to mean justice denied. Reach out to Thomas Giuffra, Esq. at (646) 413-6394 to learn your legal options and take the first step toward accountability and healing.

Source:

ABC News