On January 29, 2026, the New York City Council overrode a mayoral veto and expanded NYC’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act—creating a new 18-month filing window for certain survivors.
Free, confidential review. No obligation. We’ll listen and explain potential options.
What Changed in New York City
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On January 29, 2026, the NYC Council voted to override Mayor Adams’ 2025 Christmas Eve veto of Intro 1297-2025.
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The law expands the timeframe for survivors of gender-motivated violence to bring certain civil claims in NYC.
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The amendment allows eligible claims to be filed against individual perpetrators o institutions that enabled or concealed gender-motivated violence (where legally applicable).
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It establishes a standalone source of liability (not just a procedural tool to revive lapsed claims).
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Eligible survivors can file claims for conduct that occurred prior to January 9, 2022, during a new 18-month filing window.
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If someone previously filed a lawsuit between March 1, 2023 and March 1, 2025, and meets eligibility requirements, they may be able to amend or refile to include claims under the updated law.
Why This Window Exists
Trauma can prevent survivors from coming forward for years or decades. This law recognizes that reality—opening a path for people who were previously shut out simply because they needed time to heal, find safety, or fully understand what happened.
Without lookback windows, institutions that enabled or covered up abuse can sometimes avoid accountability by waiting out limitations periods. These windows can also push overdue reforms that help protect others.
Representing Survivors With Care and Respect
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Trauma often delays disclosure; we respect that and move at your pace
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We advocate in court while working to protect your dignity throughout the process
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We have experience litigating complex sexual abuse cases and understand the sensitivity involved
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Our role is to pursue accountability without adding pressure, fear, or unnecessary re-traumatization
Statement from Joseph Ciaccio, Partner
jose ciaccio, Partner, Napoli Shkolnik
“The lookback law, which the NYC Council overrode Mayor Adams’s veto on, provides sexual abuse survivors in New York City with a long-overdue opportunity to seek accountability from both abusers and the institutions that enabled them. Our firm is committed to listening to survivors and handling their cases with care and respect, because every victim deserves their day for justice, including those previously blocked by outdated statute-of-limitations.”
Preguntas frecuentes
It expands the ability to bring certain civil claims for gender-motivated violence in NYC, including clarifying potential claims involving institutions.
It passed on January 29, 2026 and went into effect immediately.
The law created a new 18-month window for eligible claims.
Eligible claims can involve conduct that occurred before January 9, 2022, subject to the law’s requirements.
If you filed between March 1, 2023 and March 1, 2025 and meet eligibility requirements, you may be able to amend or refile under the updated law.
No. Submitting the form is a way to request a confidential review of potential options.
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