Sexual abuse victims push City Council to reopen path to justice with new bill | amNewYork

"The emotional rally on Sept. 30 focused on legislation that would effectively overturn a recent court decision that dismissed hundreds of sexual violence lawsuits, particularly those filed by survivors of abuse in city-run institutions like juvenile detention centers. The most powerful pleas came from survivors themselves, many of whom have endured decades of silence and trauma. The bill is intended to help all sexual abuse victims, including those from juvenile detention, victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking, and those abused by doctors in major medical"

"Mary Soto, a survivor whose juvenile detention case was recently dismissed, directly challenged City Hall. I remember closing the doors in my mind just to move forward, to forget everything I endured as a child, she said. We have to be real about what's happening. Our children are more than undeserved. They're being ignored We are no longer victims. We are survivors. This is a movement, and we will keep fighting until the end."

"Kendu Starmell, who drove more than ten hours from South Carolina to speak at the Sept. 30 press conference, echoed the pain of coming forward, especially as a male survivor. Kendu Starmell, who drove more than ten hours from South Carolina to speak at the Sept. 30 press conference, echoed the pain of coming forward, especially as a male survivor.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell It's really hard for a male figure to say that he was abused by another male, he stated."

Survivors, advocates, and City Council members demanded an immediate hearing and vote on Intro. 1297 to strengthen protections for victims of gender-motivated violence. The rally on Sept. 30 responded to a court ruling that dismissed hundreds of sexual violence lawsuits, including those from city-run juvenile detention centers. The bill aims to restore legal remedies for victims across settings: juvenile detention, Jeffrey Epstein trafficking, and abuses by medical professionals. Survivors described decades of silence and trauma; Mary Soto noted her juvenile detention case was dismissed and called for recognition and sustained fight. Male survivors emphasized stigma and constitutional-rights concerns. Speakers framed the effort as a movement committed to continued advocacy until change occurs.

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