The latest filings are part of a blockbuster legal claim seeking to hold the city responsible for the abuse the now-young adults say they experienced as minors in the custody of Horizon and three other sites: Crossroads Juvenile Center, Rikers Island, and the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center. As of this week, plaintiffs have brought cases of sexual violence since the spring. That includes upward of new cases that will be announced at a press conference Tuesday in downtown Brooklyn.
The majority of the allegations date back to the early s, according to data from Levy Konigsberg. The Adams administration is trying to dismiss the claims. In court documents, city attorneys argued a local law that survivors are relying on to bring their claims years, even decades, later does not apply to these types of cases.
The Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law β first passed by the City Council in β was amended in to allow plaintiffs to sue over older allegations for a couple of years and hold institutions accountable for enabling violence. Lawyers for the city believe the latter cannot be applied retroactively, pointing to the Combs case.
Child welfare workers can face discipline up to and including firing for sexual abuse. ACS also recently updated its policies to align with federal guidance on preventing sexual misconduct in correctional facilities β including the hiring of on-site compliance managers, unannounced inspections, and trainings. By Cayla Bamberger cbamberger nydailynews. More in Crime and Public Safety.
