This could be the final chance for NYC residents to file lawsuits under the Act
Michael Willemin is a partner at Wigdor LLP whose practice covers counseling and litigation of discrimination cases, including sexual harassment; discrimination based on race, gender, pregnancy, disability, age, and sexuality; as well as retaliation and defamation. Michael’s trial verdicts, arbitration awards and confidential settlements total over one hundred million dollars.
For many survivors of sexual assault and other gender-motivated violence, July 29, 2027, could represent a final opportunity to pursue a civil lawsuit under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA).
A law enacted by the New York City Council in January 2026 provides additional opportunities for survivors of gender-based violence to bring claims against perpetrators and enablers, including claims that were previously barred because of when the gender-based violence occurred. The legislation provides survivors with 18-months to bring claims, which means that qualifying survivors can file claims until July 29, 2027.
If you experienced sexual assault or another form of gender-motivated violence in New York City you should speak with an attorney before this deadline expires to understand your options.
A Brief History of the GMVA
The Gender-Motivated Violence Act was enacted in 2000, giving survivors of gender-motivated violence an opportunity to pursue civil lawsuits against their perpetrators. It has, however, evolved significantly over the years.
Per The NYC Bar, anyone who was the victim of a violent act and suffered a physical and/or emotional injury as a result is eligible to file a lawsuit under the GMVA. Gender motivated violence in this context can encompass:
- Rape and/or sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Physical or verbal assault/battery
- Sexual violence within the workplace
- Human trafficking
- False imprisonment
Survivors generally have between seven and nine years from the date of the act in question to file their claim.
In 2022, the New York City Council significantly expanded the law, broadening it so that victims could also pursue claims against individuals or entities who enabled the violent act and extending the statute of limitations from seven to nine years.
However, the court concluded that those amendments could not be applied retroactively to conduct that occurred before January 9, 2022. As a result, more than 450 claims were dismissed, leaving many survivors without a path to seek accountability from institutions they alleged enabled or failed to prevent the abuse.
In response, the City Council enacted a new law in January 2026 designed to restore those claims and clarify that qualifying survivors may pursue civil actions against both individuals and institutions.
What Survivors Need to Know
The 2026 legislation created a new civil cause of action for qualifying gender-motivated violence that occurred before January 9, 2022 (the law already covered claims concerning gender-motivated violence that occurred after January 9, 2022).
Under the law, survivors may be able to pursue claims against parties that allegedly:
- Committed the abuse
- Directed or participated in it
- Enabled it
- Conspired to facilitate or conceal it
Importantly, the law also allows many people who filed lawsuits during the revival window that previously closed on March 1, 2025 to amend or refile their cases if they now qualify under the new legislation.
Why Deadlines Matter
Many survivors do not come forward immediately after experiencing abuse.
Trauma, fear, anxiety, shame, concerns about retaliation, or the influence of a person in a position of authority can make it difficult to report abuse or pursue legal action. In some cases, survivors decide they are ready to seek accountability only after the applicable statute of limitations has expired.
The City Council has recognized these realities by passing Local Law 50 / Bill 1297-A.
Don’t Assume It’s Too Late
If you experienced sexual assault or another form of gender-motivated violence in New York City, you should not assume you have missed your opportunity to pursue a civil claim. Depending on when the violence occurred and the circumstances of your case, you may still have legal options.
Likewise, if you were previously told that your claim was barred by the statute of limitations—or if your lawsuit was dismissed under an earlier version of the GMVA—you may now have additional legal options under the 2026 legislation. Every case is different, and eligibility depends on the specific facts and circumstances.
Because the deadline for many to file claims expires on July 29, 2027, anyone considering legal action should consult an employment attorney as soon as possible to understand whether they may qualify.
Wigdor Can Help
The top employment attorneys at Wigdor LLP have represented survivors of sexual assault and workplace sexual misconduct in complex litigation against individuals and institutions. If you believe you may have a claim under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act, our attorneys can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options.
To speak with a member of our team, call 212-257-6800 or email contact@wigdorlaw.com.
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