In New York, a civil action has been filed as part of a broader move to address sexual violence. The complaint accuses a former president of rape and forced touching, seeking accountability under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. The plaintiff requests unspecified damages for harms tied to the alleged assault and seeks resolution by a jury trial. The filing marks a renewed effort to pursue justice within the state for alleged sexual crimes that dates back nearly three decades.
The action is brought as part of a legal strategy to combine claims of sexual violence with defamation. The plaintiff, now 78, is also engaged in a separate defamation dispute arising after the former president denied the allegations and criticized the claimant in public statements, including remarks about appearance, first in 2019 and again in the current year. The new complaint explicitly includes defamation claims and asks for a retraction or withdrawal of the earlier public denials.
The claimant linked the new case to her social media presence, suggesting that the action could influence national discourse while also offering solidarity to women who have experienced intimidation, harassment, or assault by powerful men. The message emphasizes that the case is about accountability and the impact on survivors who have endured abusive behavior.
Silence until ‘me too’
The document recalls a turning point from roughly 27 years ago when an incident at a luxury department store on Fifth Avenue in New York reportedly involved aggressive conduct by the accused. The filing describes a moment where the accused allegedly forced contact with the claimant and violated her personal boundaries in a way described as rape, according to the complaint.
At the time of the allegations, the claimant confided to two friends who later pursued journalism. She reportedly blamed herself for what happened and chose not to involve law enforcement due to concerns about power dynamics and potential social backlash. The narrative indicates she remained silent until the Me Too movement amplified public discussion of similar harms.
The filing notes that in 2016 the claimant briefly considered revealing the events when seeing others speak out about the same individual, but personal loyalties and family considerations influenced her decision to stay quiet. The document frames this as part of a broader pattern of public scrutiny and the pressure to conform to a certain male image among supporters.
The complaint describes lasting psychological and financial consequences, including a loss of dignity and self-confidence. It states that the claimant has not pursued romantic relationships since the alleged incident and has found it difficult to trust men, framing the impact as lasting and deeply disruptive to personal life.
Legal change with consequences
New York’s Adult Survivors Act opens a window for reporting sexual violence, extending beyond the typical limitations that apply to such cases. The law allows a one-year period for filing claims from the day of enactment, enabling adult victims to pursue accountability even after significant time has passed. The change is projected to lead to numerous new cases statewide as survivors come forward who may have previously felt barred by time limits.
Local outlets report that several dozen cases are anticipated to be filed across the state, including actions related to sexual abuse that occurred in various settings. The act is seen as part of a broader trend toward recognizing and validating survivor experiences, potentially reshaping accountability for high-profile figures and institutions in the state court system.
A prior legislative precedent in New York and neighboring jurisdictions has created openings for adult survivors in other contexts, expanding the opportunities for civil claims. The new law aligns with broader national conversations about victim rights and the mechanisms by which courts address alleged harms that occurred in the past.
Across the country, most states have established similar windows for adult victims, with notable regional differences. Some nearby jurisdictions have enacted changes in recent years to allow more flexible reporting timelines, reflecting evolving perspectives on accountability and survivor support. The landscape continues to shift as more cases move toward litigation and resolution.