NEW YORK, NY, January 16, 2025 – Lawmakers, advocates, and survivors gathered on the steps of New York City Hall today to raise awareness about the impending expiration of the lookback window under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (“GMVA”). This critical law provides survivors of gender-motivated violence an opportunity to seek justice for offenses previously barred by the statute of limitations.

The GMVA covers a wide range of gender-based offenses, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, workplace harassment, reproductive coercion, and other forms of violence. In 2022, the law was amended to establish a two-year lookback window, which temporarily suspends the statute of limitations for civil claims. This window, which opened in March 2023, will close on February 28, 2025. After this date, the law’s original nine-year statute of limitations will resume. Notably, the GMVA applies only to incidents occurring within New York City’s five boroughs.

Today serves as a call to action for survivors of gender-motivated violence, urging them to take advantage of this critical opportunity to pursue justice and accountability through the civil courts.

Key Quotes from Our Partners:

“I am fighting to help the former version of me find worth in herself, a battle worth fighting for,” said Survivor Advocate, Gina Tron. “I encourage victim-survivors to consider this act as a tool for their own healing before the window closes on February 28th.”

“There is still time to hold abusers accountable, no matter how long ago the violence occurred,” said Sonia Ossorio, Executive Director of NOW-NYC. “The GMVA provides a powerful tool for justice and healing, and we encourage anyone considering civil legal action to act before the lookback period ends. Resources are available through our website, and we urge individuals to connect with legal professionals who can assist them through the process.”

“As we approach the closing of the lookback window under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act, we urge survivors of gender-based violence to use this opportunity to pursue justice,” said New York Council Member Carlina Rivera. “The law I passed in coalition with survivors and advocates, which temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for civil claims, has empowered many individuals to come forward who otherwise might not have been able to seek accountability. This two-year window closes on February 28, 2025, after which the nine-year statute of limitations will resume. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about this window closing and that we continue advocating for the rights of survivors, eliminating barriers to justice, and supporting survivors in their journey toward healing.”

“As a co-prime sponsor of the Gender-Motivated Violence Act and longtime ally, I am proud to stand with survivors and advocates to amplify this critical law and its importance,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “The GMVA’s lookback window, which closes on February 28, 2025, offers a rare opportunity for survivors to seek justice. It is essential that we reach all New Yorkers, including hard-to-reach populations, to ensure they are aware of their rights under this law. I would like to thank the bill’s prime sponsor, Council Member Carlina Rivera, my Council colleagues, and the dedicated advocates for their unwavering commitment to uplifting survivors and ensuring no one is left behind.”

“Every day, brave survivors of gender-motivated violence, including sexual violence and sexual exploitation, come forward—whether the violation happened that day or ten years ago—to hold their perpetrators accountable,” said Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. “It can take a lifetime to recognize that what happened to you was gender-based violence, whether perpetrated by an individual or an institution. The short window the GMVA is offering is a game-changer for thousands of survivors in New York City seeking relief. And to each survivor who suffered online-facilitated violence, whether through ‘sugaring’ sites, OnlyFans, or other internet service providers that enable abuse and exploitation: you too are entitled to your day in civil court and to justice with the GMVA.”

“The trauma of sexual abuse takes years to process before many are able to even think about reporting the harm done to them,” said Emily Miles, Executive Director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. “Lookback windows, like the GMVA, are frequently the only available pathway to justice for these survivors and are critical in ensuring the individuals and institutions who allowed this violence to occur are held responsible. It is critical to raise awareness of the GMVA so that more survivors are made aware of this opportunity for accountability.”

“As legal service providers focused on expanding access to justice, the City Bar Justice Center and the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service applaud NOW-NYC’s commitment to assisting victims of violence, and encourages gender-motivated violence victims to assert rights available under the GMVA before its expanded limitations period expires.”