Inmate Sexual Assault at Bayview Correctional Facility Lawyer

While no one should expect life behind bars to be a cakewalk, it is not acceptable for correctional officers and other prison staff to sexually abuse inmates. However, sexual victimization of inmates by correctional officers is widespread in prison across the state of New York. It was prevalent at the now-closed Bayview Correctional Facility in Manhattan. For decades woman inmates were subjected to repeated sexual assault by correctional officers. In the vast majority of the cases the offending correctional officers where not prosecuted, fired, or punished in any way, nor were steps taken to prevent future sexual assaults. Times have changed. In May of 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the Adult Survivors Act. This new law provides a one-year window for victims of sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their abusers that would otherwise have been barred by the statute of limitations. If you or someone you know was the victim of sexual abuse while an inmate at Bayview Correctional Facility, contact an experienced New York prisoner abuse lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. No one should ever be sexually abused. We are here to help ensure that victims of sexual abuse receive the maximum compensation to which they are entitled.

Many sexual assault survivors who were victimized while they were inmates at Bayview Correctional Facility or other prisons in New York never receive justice. Oftentimes inmates’ complaints about sexual abuse are ignored while the perpetrators are protected. Some inmates are afraid to report abuse for fear of retribution. As a result, many perpetrators are never held accountable criminally or civilly.

With the recently enacted Adult Survivors Act, victims of sexual assault at Bayview and at other institutions now have an opportunity to receive justice for abuse that occurred years ago and would otherwise be time-barred due to the statute of limitations. Under the new law, there is a one-year window during which victims, with the help of an experienced New York prisoner abuse lawyer, can file civil lawsuits and demand compensation for the losses they suffered. The period during which they can file claims begins on November 24, 2022 and ends on November 23, 2023.

To be eligible to take advantage of the Adult Survivors Act:

• Plaintiff must have been the victim of a sex offense
• Plaintiff must have been at least 18 years old when they were sexually abused
• Plaintiff’s claim must have been time-barred

Because Bayview Correctional Facility closed in 2012, any claims of sexual abuse not already litigated would be eligible under the Adult Survivors Act.

Victims who are injured by the intentional actions of others have the right to be compensated for their losses. For example, if someone is injured because they were pushed down a flight of stairs, or someone was injured in an intentionally set fire, they have the right to compensation from those who caused their injuries. Victims of sexual abuse are no different, even if the sexual abuse occurred while the victim was incarcerated.

Compensation to which victim may be entitled include:

• Medical bills for physical and psychological treatment
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

To learn more about the compensation that you might be entitled to based on the specifics of your case, contact an experienced prisoner abuse attorney in New York. Note that victims have the right to sue for damages even if the perpetrator was never convicted or charged with a crime.

Victims of sexual abuse at Bayview Correctional Facility or at any facility in New York, have the right to justice. If you or someone you know were sexually abused by a prison guard or correctional officer while in prison at Bayview or anywhere else, the experienced prisoner abuse attorneys serving New York at Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent victims of sexual abuse in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and Westchester County.