Gender-Motivated Violence Act
The New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act, or the GMVA, serves to protect and support victims of gender-motivated violence. If you have experienced this type of violence and are looking for ways to pursue justice, the New York sexual abuse attorneys at Herman Law can inform you about your rights and how to seek compensation. This window is only open through March 2025, so call now.
Survivors of gender-motivated violence often cope with lasting physical and emotional trauma, which can make researching legal options feel overwhelming. However, filing a civil claim against the person responsible for the attack can help you find resolution as you move into the next chapter of your life.
What Is the GMVA?
Also known as the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, the GMVA is codified in the New York City Administrative Code. It supports victims of sexual assault and harassment, who want to file a civil claim against the parties responsible, even where the acts occurred many years ago.
What Is the Purpose of the GMVA?
The GMVA aims to empower victims to seek justice against the parties responsible. Often, victims of gender-motivated violence feel unseen, particularly because many cases end without a police investigation or criminal conviction.
To help remedy this problem, the GMVA makes filing a civil suit against an organization or perpetrator easier, even if the criminal courts haven’t held them responsible. It’s similar to the New York Adult Survivors Act and the New York Child Victims Act in that it allows you to pursue damages from the perpetrator and any organizations or entities that contributed to the wrongful act and your harm. More specifically, it allows you to seek compensation for any physical injuries, psychological suffering, or economic harm you experienced.
What Is Considered Gender-Motivated Violence?
To qualify as gender-motivated violence, a perpetrator’s actions must constitute a misdemeanor or felony against a person based on state or federal law.
Examples of potential acts of gender-motivated violence include:
- Harassment
- Sexual Assault
- Human trafficking
Understanding the specifics is essential to determining whether it falls under the GMVA. An attorney can examine the details of your case and determine whether you have a valid GMVA claim.
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What Is the Statute of Limitations of the GMVA?
The statute of limitations for the GMVA was previously seven years. However, the New York City Council recently amended the law and extended the limitations period.
Besides lengthening the limitations period, the amendment also created a temporary two-year lookback window allowing victims to file civil suits for claims that would have previously been barred. This window is only open from March 2023 through March 2025, so if you think you may have a case, it’s vital to act quickly before the window closes.
Who Can File Claims Under the GMVA?
The GMVA aims to protect anyone who is a victim of gender-motivated violence, regardless of their gender or age. However, because it’s a city code rather than a state or national law, it’s only available for victims within New York City’s five boroughs.
It’s important to contact an attorney to learn your rights. If you or a loved one are a victim of sexual abuse and believe you may have a claim under the NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act, contact Herman Law today to speak to an attorney to learn more.