Hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits against NYC ready to move forward after months in limbo

New York City's juvenile detention centers have faced long-standing allegations of failing to protect children from sexual abuse, a crisis that has finally taken a step forward after months in limbo. Hundreds of lawsuits have been refiled under a revised city law aimed at compensating survivors and improving the facilities.

The cases span decades and multiple facilities, with many initially filed under a 2020 law allowing survivors to bring claims years after the statute of limitations had expired. However, a Bronx judge last year threw out nearly half of these suits due to a technical ruling, dismissing them on grounds that the law didn't clearly allow plaintiffs to sue both individuals and institutions.

Following this setback, advocates for survivors rallied against the dismissal and pushed the City Council to pass new legislation allowing victims to pursue justice. The law, which aims to reopen the door to court for those who suffered abuse in city facilities, also established a 18-month window for new claims.

Just as optimism returned with the bill's passage, then-Mayor Eric Adams vetoed it on Christmas Eve, citing concerns about massive financial liability and claiming that supporters of the bill were motivated by a single law firm. However, the Council eventually overrode his veto.

In response to the mayor's rejection, attorneys representing survivors are now pushing forward with their cases. One such attorney, Jerome Block, emphasized the need for accountability from both institutions and individuals who facilitated abuse. The firm representing survivors, Levy Konigsberg, filed nearly 600 claims, including alleged instances of abuse dating back to the 1960s.

For many plaintiffs, this renewed push for justice comes after years of emotional struggle and stunted growth due to their traumatic experiences. Both Austin Stephens and Jason Moore, who were held at the now-defunct Spofford Juvenile Center, testified about the profound impact of their abuse, citing years of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.

Stephens and Moore say they've since recovered but aim to ensure that no other child is subjected to similar horrors. They underscored the importance of holding perpetrators accountable while also working to prevent such abuses in the future.

The new law now provides an opportunity for survivors who never filed claims to come forward, expanding the scope of potential accountability. As attorneys prepare to move forward with these cases, many more are expected to emerge.

this is so messed up can't believe ppl are still gettin abused in those facilities need 2 b held accountable especially wen its been goin on fer decades hope the law helps bring closure 2 all the victims out also wish Stephens & Moore all the best they r inspirations 2 many

I'm still so frustrated about this whole thing . The fact that NYC's juvenile detention centers failed to protect kids from sexual abuse for so long is just appalling. It's been a nightmare for all the survivors who've been through it - years of emotional struggle, stunted growth, and even suicidal thoughts . And now that there's finally some movement on this, it feels like a huge step forward... but also super delayed . The fact that the law got vetoed by Mayor Adams is just ridiculous - who else is going to hold these institutions accountable? At least the Council overrode his veto, so we're still moving forward . Now let's hope these new laws can actually make a difference and bring some real justice to all these survivors

just heard about this news and its so heartbreaking ... thousands of kids were traumatized in those detention centers and now they're getting a chance to fight back . it's crazy that the city had to be pushed so hard to pass new legislation, but at least we're seeing some progress now . those survivors who are speaking out are really inspiring, like Austin and Jason, their stories are just heartbreaking ... they deserve justice and closure, and I hope this law helps them get it .

Ugh, it's like we're back to where we were in the 90s with those juvenile detention centers . I mean, think about all the kids who went through this and didn't get justice until now. It's heartbreaking. And can you believe Mayor Adams vetoed that bill? Like, what's next?

These new laws are a step in the right direction, but it's crazy that we're still dealing with this stuff decades later. The 1960s! Can you imagine going through something like that and not being able to get help for years? It's just devastating.

And those two guys who testified... Austin and Jason? They're my age, which is wild because I feel like I've known them forever. They were held in those centers back when their parents were still kids, can you believe it? It's crazy how much we've come to expect from our government.

But yeah, this new law gives people a chance to finally get some justice, and for that, I'm grateful. And I hope that no one else has to go through what they did. We need better systems in place to protect our kids. Period.

OMG just heard about this new law in NYC and I'm like so relieved that justice is finally being served for those little guys who went through trauma at juvenile detention centers!!! I mean, can you even imagine being locked up with people who are supposed to be helping you and having them do this to you? it's just disgusting.

I love that the city council overrode the mayor's veto, it's like they finally listened to the advocates and survivors . This law is a huge step forward in holding institutions accountable and making sure that no one else has to go through what those kids went through .

It's amazing how this bill is going to reopen the door for new claims and give people who were traumatized a chance to seek justice finally . And I'm so glad to hear that Austin and Jason are speaking out about their experiences, it's like they're giving their voices back to them . We need more people like them sharing their stories and advocating for change .

I just can't even begin to imagine how hard this must be for the survivors, but I know that with laws like this in place, we can start to make a difference . It's not going to fix everything overnight, but every step forward is a step in the right direction .

I gotta say, this whole situation is super messed up . I mean, can you believe that kids were being left out in the cold for so long? It's like, what kind of system lets that happen? And now, the city's finally trying to make things right, but it's a bit too little, too late if you ask me... The fact that some of these cases go all the way back to the 60s is just crazy . And the fact that the mayor vetoed this bill initially? Unbelievable! It just goes to show how out of touch some people can be.

I'm not saying I'm optimistic or anything, but at least now there's hope for these kids and their families. Maybe this renewed push for justice will actually lead to real change . But let's be real, it's gonna take a lot more than just a new law to fix this kind of systemic issue. We need real accountability from the top, you know? And I'm still waiting for someone to explain how those nearly 600 claims got filed in the first place... Like, what was going on behind closed doors?

Man, I'm so relieved that the city's finally taking action against those juvenile detention centers . It's been ages since this stuff came out and people were fighting for justice, and now we're seeing real change. 600+ new claims? That's a ton of survivors coming forward! I mean, can you even imagine what it's like to go through that and not be able to do anything about it? Austin and Jason are proof that some people did recover from the trauma, but they still want to make sure no one else goes through that. That's what accountability's all about. We gotta keep pushing for this until those responsible are held to account. Fingers crossed this new law actually sticks and brings some real change

"Actions speak louder than words."

The way the city council stood up for the victims and overrode the mayor's veto shows that they're finally willing to take action against the long-standing allegations of failing to protect children from sexual abuse in New York City's juvenile detention centers. It's a step forward, but there's still so much work to be done to ensure that survivors like Austin and Jason can get the justice they deserve.

The new law providing an 18-month window for new claims is a huge relief for many who never got a chance to file before. It's a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, we shouldn't give up on the people who need help the most. Now, let's see if those in power will follow through with their promises and make sure these facilities are transformed into safe spaces for kids.

come on guys this is about time someone did something about those juvenile detention centers they've been screwing over kids for years! I mean, 600+ claims? that's a small fraction of what should be happening trust me I'd sue too if i had a chance these facilities need to be shut down and the people responsible held accountable period it's not about financial liability or some law firm trying to get ahead it's about justice for the kids who were traumatized by those places. and good on the council for overruling that veto now let's see some real change happen

it's about time we start holding those responsible for putting kids through hell accountable the fact that it took months in limbo and a mayor vetoing the bill just because he was worried about the financial liability is just appalling . The city needs to take responsibility for its facilities and make sure that something like this never happens again my heart goes out to all the survivors who have been through traumatic experiences and are finally getting a chance to seek justice

Man I'm so glad this is finally happening! These kids were through hell and it's unacceptable that they had to go through all that trauma without being protected . It's amazing how the city is now taking steps to make sure this doesn't happen again, especially with the new law allowing survivors who never filed claims to come forward . I hope these kids are finally getting some justice and closure after all they've been through. And it's not just about them, it's about making sure that we're creating a safer system for our kids in the future .

Its shocking that it took so long for the city to take action on this serious issue . I mean, think about it, hundreds of kids have been affected and now we're finally seeing change happen. The law is a good start but its also gonna be super hard on the city's finances . I just hope that all these cases get resolved quickly so the survivors can finally find some peace. Its heartbreaking to hear about Austin and Jason's stories , they should never have gone through that trauma. I'm glad that their voices are being heard now and hopefully it will prevent this from happening again in the future

Ugh man, this is like, so heartbreaking I feel bad for all those kids who went through this trauma in the juvenile detention centers... it's crazy to think they're still dealing with the emotional damage years later And what really gets me is that some of these kids never even got a chance to speak out because of some technical loophole . But I'm glad the City Council finally stepped in and passed the new law, it's about time we hold those institutions accountable . Now, I know it's not going to fix everything overnight, but at least it gives these survivors a chance to finally get justice . And you know what the worst part is? These kids were literally being held captive for years, and some of them even got out and are still struggling... it's just so messed up .

man, this is so sad... all these kids going through trauma in those facilities and no one doing anything about it until now they're finally getting some justice but it's like, what took so long? and can you believe the mayor vetoed the bill just because of financial concerns? that's not why we need change, we need to protect kids from abuse period! at least now that the council overrode his veto, something's finally happening and I'm glad that survivors like Austin and Jason are speaking out about their experiences, it's so brave of them hopefully this will lead to real changes in those facilities and more support for kids who have gone through trauma

The city's hesitation to take responsibility for this long-standing crisis is still a major issue . It took months for the lawsuits to be refiled and even longer for the City Council to pass new legislation. The fact that nearly half of the initial suits were dismissed due to a technical ruling just delayed justice .

The real question now is what will happen to those who've been through this trauma? It's not just about seeking compensation, it's about finding closure and ensuring that institutions take real action to prevent this from happening again. The law provides an 18-month window for new claims, but it's still a drop in the ocean compared to the number of people who've been affected.

The attorneys representing survivors are pushing forward with their cases, and hopefully, justice will be served soon . It's also heartening to see plaintiffs like Austin Stephens and Jason Moore finding the courage to speak out about their experiences .

I'm just glad some of these young minds got a second chance at life . I mean, can you imagine being stuck in those juvenile detention centers for years? It's like being trapped in a bad Netflix show that you can't escape . But seriously, it's about time the city acknowledged its failures and gave these survivors some justice. The new law is like a fresh start for them – it's like they're getting a do-over on life . And to all the perpetrators out there who thought they could get away with stuff... well, not anymore !

Ugh, can you believe that Eric Adams vetoed the bill ? Like, what's wrong with being proactive about helping survivors of abuse? I mean, I get it, financial liability is a concern, but come on, isn't accountability worth more than that? The fact that he tried to claim one law firm was behind it all just shows how out of touch he is. Anyway, now that the Council overrode his veto, justice will finally be served for these kids . It's crazy they had to go through so much emotional trauma because the system failed them. I hope those attorneys are ready to take on some serious cases, it's time to hold people accountable for their actions!

I'm still trying to process how long it took for things to get moving on this . I mean, hundreds of kids were affected by abuse in those detention centers and you'd think the city would've done something sooner. But hey, at least now we're seeing some real change . I'm all for holding people accountable, especially when it comes to protecting our youth . It's time for those who suffered to get justice and closure . And I gotta say, I'm loving the fact that this law is expanding the window for new claims . Maybe now we can start seeing some real progress in reforming those facilities . My only concern is how long it'll take for things to actually change on the ground ...

OMG, this is soooo frustrating! I was reading about this in school and I just can't believe what happened at those juvenile detention centers. It's like, they knew all along that these kids were being abused and nobody did anything about it? The fact that the mayor vetoed the bill because he didn't want to deal with the financial liability is just wild...

But you know what's even more sad? The fact that some of these survivors had to wait so long to speak out. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with trauma like that and not being able to do anything about it for years? It's like, they're still dealing with the emotional fallout from all those years ago...

I think it's amazing that the council overrode the mayor's veto and now these survivors finally have a chance to get justice. And I love how both of their testimonies are so strong - Austin and Jason deserve every bit of support and recognition they're getting right now... We need more people like them speaking out and advocating for change!