Survivors of Sexual Assault Face Ongoing Challenges as Momentum Behind #MeToo Movement Wanes

Strategic Insights -

The recent acquittal of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs on the most serious charges against him has brought attention back to the struggles faced by survivors of sexual assault, highlighting the need for continued legislative support and advocacy.

New York State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal has been a key figure in pushing for laws to protect survivors, including the Child Victims Act and the Adult Survivors Act, which created one-year lookback windows for civil lawsuits against perpetrators of child and adult sexual assault. Despite these efforts, advocates say that a patchwork of policies and laws can sometimes feel like they exist to weed out cases deemed illegitimate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Child Victims Act, enacted in 2019, allowed child victims to file civil lawsuits up to the age of 55 and created a one-year lookback window for civil lawsuits from victims of any age.
  • New York's Adult Survivors Act, passed in 2022, created a one-year lookback window for adult victims, allowing survivors to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators.
  • Over 11,000 lawsuits were filed under the Child Victims Act in New York during its two-year span.
  • A patchwork of policies often results in survivors facing additional legal hurdles, including the need to know the exact day and place of the abuse.
  • Only a handful of states, including Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, have removed statutes of limitations for all felony sex crimes.
  • Many states, including New York, still have a "drunk consent is still consent" loophole that can prevent survivors from getting justice.

Statistics:

  • Every 68 seconds, someone in the US is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
  • Over 11,000 lawsuits were filed under the Child Victims Act in New York during its two-year span.
  • Nearly 11,000 cases were filed under the Adult Survivors Act in New York.
  • Only 8 states have removed statutes of limitations for all felony sex crimes.
  • The #MeToo movement led to allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning industries, resulting in increased public awareness and legislative support for survivors.

Sources:

  • CNN, July 2023
  • CNN, June 2023
  • New York State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal interview, CNN, June 2023
  • Safe Horizon, Vice President of Government Affairs Michael Polenberg interview, CNN, June 2023
  • RAINN, "Statistics"
  • CNN, June 2023
  • CNN, January 2023
  • New York State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal interview, CNN, June 2023