NYC Council Saves Sexual Assault Law Vetoed by Adams

Former Mayor Eric Adams’s Veto of New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) Overturned

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (February 12, 2026) – Survivors of sexual assault gained a major victory after the New York City Council issued an override of the veto of the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA).

The council voted in January 2026 to reinstate and expand the law. One of the major benefits of the law is that it gives survivors of sexual assaults a path to seek legal accountability.

In years past, survivors of sexual abuse and gender-motivated violence were often barred from pursuing civil claims due to expired statutes of limitations.

What the Law Actually Does

The main purpose of the law is to create what is commonly referred to as a “lookback window.”  This is a limited period of time where survivors are able to pursue civil actions, regardless of expired statutes of limitations.

In many cases, survivors of sexual assault do not come forward for many years due to trauma and fear of retaliation. Many institutions across New York City have also engaged in cover-ups of sexual abuse and violence.

In the total absence of a lookback window, even the most well-substantiated claims were completely barred from moving forward. The new law creates several changes.

• Survivors are now allowed to bring civil lawsuits based on past instances of sexual abuse in New York City.
• Survivors that were previously barred from having their claims move forward may be able to revive or re-file those same claims.
• Survivors are able to pursue claims against individual abusers and also institutions.

The lookback window for the law is 18 months from its effective date.

Why the Mayor Previously Vetoed the Law

Former Mayor Eric Adams issued a veto of the legislation prior to leaving office in January. He claims that the law raised concerns about fairness. Proponents of the legislation have strongly disagreed with this assessment. The NYC council and other survivor groups have argued:

• Civil accountability is an essential component of seeking justice when criminal courts are not able to hold abusers accountable.
• Institutions should not be shielded from liability solely on the basis that abuse was unknown for many years.
• New York has passed similar legislation through laws like the Adult Survivors Act.

Through their override of the veto, the NYC council has made it clear that access to justice is more important than shielding large institutions from embarrassment or discomfort.

Getting Legal Help After Sexual Abuse in New York City

We at GLK Law extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been the victims of sexual abuse across New York City. This override of former Mayor Eric Adam’s veto is a tremendous step forward for survivors of sexual abuse and gender-motivated violence. For far too long, the survivors of these horrific crimes were not able to have their voices heard. Institutions across New York City that failed to protect children and adults from abuse need to be held accountable.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of sexual abuse in New York City? You may have legal recourse even if you were previously barred by statutes of limitations. Our team of experienced New York City sexual abuse attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping survivors get the justice and support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (516) 908-9792.