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Justice for Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Lakewood Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility Lawyer

Just like with other prisons in New York and across the country, at Lakewood Shock sexual abuse of female inmates is a just problem. The perpetrators of the sexual abuse include correctional officers as well as other members of the prison staff. However, even though it is widely known that inmates are sexual abused, the abusers are rarely prosecuted or punished in any way. As a result, victims often never receive justice for their abuse they suffered. Now there is an opportunity for those who were not able to receive justice for so many yeas to receive it. If you are an adult survivor of sexual abuse at Lakewood Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility, contact an experienced New York sexual abuse lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. We will take the time to listen to the facts of your case and explain the process of filing a lawsuit to demand compensation from the person who abused you as well as those who protected your abuser.

Adult Survivors Act

Just like victims of any other personal jury, victims of sexual abuse have the right to pursue civil action against their abusers. Civil action is different from criminal action.

On May 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Adult Survivors Act. This new law temporarily waives the prior statute of limitations for adult survivors of sexual abuse and gives them a one year window to file a sexual abuse lawsuit, regardless of how many years ago they suffered the abuse. The window begins on November 24, 2022 and ends on November 23, 2023. The Adult Survivors Act is similar in spirit to the 2019 Child Victims Act. However, to be eligible to take advantage for the opportunity provided by the Adult Survivors Act, the abuse must have happened when the victim was at least 18 years old.

The Adult Survivors Act recognizes that victims often need years to process the trauma suffered by the abuse and that there are often other barriers to immediately reporting it. As a result of this special one-time window, victims abuses years or even decades ago at Albion can now take action. However, it is important to immediately get the process started. Contact an experienced New York sexual abuse lawyer to ensure that you do not miss out on this unique opportunity. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the November 23, 2023 deadline, you will forever barred from being able to recover compensation. Note that it is not necessary for the abuser to have been criminally charged, tried, or convicted for victims to file civil claims.

Adult Sexual Abuse

Oftentimes people assume that sexual abuse must mean rape—nonconsenual sexual intercourse. It also includes:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Penetration using an object
  • Being forced to touch the abuser
  • Anal sex
  • Physical touching on top of or underneath clothing
  • Lewd gestures or comments
  • Provision of drugs or alcohol to encourage sexual behavior
  • Exposing genitals
  • Exposure to pornographic images
  • Threats of harm to hide abuse

In addition, a defense to an accusation of sexual assault is not lack of consent. An inmate does not have the legal capacity to consent to sexual contact with a corrections officers or other prison staff member. To discuss what happened to you while you were serving time at Albion, contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney in New York to discuss what happened to you.

There may be many complicated reasons that sexually abused inmates do not come forward. Some feel that they will not be believed. Some feel that they “asked for it” or did not say “no.” Others feel that may be punished for speaking up. Still others feel shame.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

No one deserves to be sexually assaulted. It is reprehensible that correctional officers at a prison assault inmates. If you were sexually assaulted while serving time at Lakewood Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility, contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney serving New York at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. Even if the assault occurred years ago, you have an opportunity to demand justice. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and Westchester County.

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