A Bronx decide has dismissed lots of of instances introduced by former detainees who say New York Metropolis failed to guard them from sexual abuse in juvenile jails — together with about 20 folks whose claims contain one serial offender at Horizon Juvenile Middle.
On Tuesday, Metropolis Council members joined survivors and their legal professionals on the Metropolis Corridor steps to demand Council Speaker Adrienne Adams advance a invoice in a bid to reinstate greater than 450 lawsuits.
Rashawn Jones is pictured Friday, June 28, 2024, within the Bronx. (Barry Williams for New York Every day Information)
That legislation is town’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act, which underneath a current modification created a two-year, “lookback window,” till March 2025, for victims to convey civil instances in opposition to establishments or metropolis businesses they are saying enabled such abuse.
Over the summer season, an appeals court docket dominated in a case involving a hospital community that events accused of enabling violence earlier than the up to date legislation shouldn’t be held liable, as a result of the modification didn’t explicitly apply retroactively.
Bronx Justice Mitchell Danziger then dismissed the 450 juvenile detention instances based mostly on the appellate resolution.
“So I went and looked. I read the short order form, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. This might be stupid, but I asked ChatGPT five to 10 times, what’s the likelihood of this?”
Rashawn Jones speaks throughout a rally Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in assist of a invoice that will make clear a authorized pathway for victims of sexual abuse in New York Metropolis’s juvenile detention amenities. (Cayla Bamberger / New York Every day Information)
Presently, 35 Council members have signed onto a invoice that will amend the legislation once more to clear up any ambiguity about it being retroactive. However Speaker Adams has but to schedule a vote, regardless of it having the assist of greater than two-thirds of the Council.
“They deserve the chance to hold both abusers and institutions responsible,” mentioned Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens), the measure’s lead sponsor. “This bill will address the recent decision by the courts and make it clear.”
Council spokesperson Lindsey Bach mentioned, “Survivors of gender-based violence deserve justice and accountability. Int. 1297 was introduced in May and is currently going through the legislative process, which is deliberative and allows for thorough input from all stakeholders.”
Marisa Kaufman, a spokeswoman for town’s Administration for Kids’s Companies, mentioned, “Sexual abuse and harassment is abhorrent and unacceptable, and although many of the incidents predated this administration or ACS’s involvement with juvenile justice, we take any allegation very seriously. We have implemented a robust prevention strategy and have zero tolerance for misconduct.”
Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens) speaks throughout a rally Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in assist of a invoice that will make clear a authorized pathway for victims of sexual abuse in New York Metropolis’s juvenile detention amenities. (Cayla Bamberger / New York Every day Information)
The town’s Regulation Division reiterated the Gender-Motivated Violence Act doesn’t authorize claims in opposition to town earlier than the legislation was enacted or expanded.
The plaintiffs are being represented by Jerome Block, a companion at Levy Konigsberg LLP.
Jones stays optimistic: “It’s not over, it’s not over, it’s not over,” he repeated. “It’s just — there’s no way.”
“It’s crazy how this agency, ACS, can come and take your kids from you if they deem that you’re not fit to take care of them. I was in their custody when I was molested by one of their staff members. And I don’t know what world we live in, where the [agency] that takes your kids from you, can have your kids in their custody and your kids be molested by their staff.”
“It’s an oxymoron. It’s very paradoxical. I don’t even know the word… But I have faith in my lawyers and the team that we’ll be able to have the next judge see things in our way, especially after this law. Once this law is fixed, there’s no way for them to shrivel out of this.”
Initially Printed: September 30, 2025 at 5:52 PM EDT
