The New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) is a civil rights law that allows survivors of gender-based violence (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking) to sue their attackers and the institutions that enabled them for financial damages in civil court. Unlike a criminal case, which focuses on jail time, a GMVA lawsuit focuses on compensating you for the harm you’ve endured.
A crucial update was recently passed to help those who previously found the courthouse doors closed to them:
- The Lookback Amendment: As of January 29 2026, a new 18-month “lookback window” is open, allowing survivors to file a lawsuit for abuse that occurred any time before January 9, 2022, even if the original legal deadline has already passed.
- The Deadline: This temporary window is active right now and will remain open until July 29, 2027, giving survivors a vital second chance to hold both individuals and institutions accountable.
- The Lookback Amendment provides a vital second chance, but it is temporary. The current window to file for past abuse is active now and is scheduled to close on July 29, 2027. If you have or know someone who has experienced gender-based violence, your story deserves to be heard and your rights deserve to be protected by a legal team who prioritizes your safety, your recovery, and your unwavering pursuit of justice.
For more information, see our GMVA 2026 Amendment deep dive here.
Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA)
Origin & Purpose
The New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) is a local law that has existed since 2000, designed to allow survivors of “crimes of violence motivated by gender” pursue civil lawsuits against their perpetrators.
Why the GMVA is Legally Significant in NYC
The GMVA is deeply significant because it treats gender-motivated violence as a profound civil rights violation, restoring the law to its original purpose rather than treating it merely as a standard personal injury claim. Importantly, the law operates independently of the criminal justice system, meaning survivors do not need to secure criminal convictions or even rely on police reports to file charges to pursue justice.
The recent legislative updates have explicitly expanded the law to hold powerful institutions legally responsible if they enabled, concealed, or ignored abuse. This shifts the focus from simply punishing an individual perpetrator to demanding systemic accountability and exposing the structures that allowed the violence to occur.
Who Can File a Claim?
To be eligible to file a lawsuit under the GMVA, an individual must have suffered physical, emotional, or psychological harm as a result of a violent act motivated, at least in part, by their gender, gender identity, or gender expression. A strict geographical requirement is that the incident must have occurred within the five boroughs of New York City.
It does not matter whether the survivor was a child or an adult at the time of the abuse, nor does it matter whether the abuser was a man or woman. Even if you were previously told that your case was too old or your claims were procedurally dismissed, the new bill opens the window so you may qualify to move forward and have your day in court.
Understanding Eligibility and Proof
What Counts as Gender-Motivated Violence
Under the GMVA, “crimes of violence motivated by gender” are defined as acts or serious acts committed because of a person’s gender. To qualify, the violence must be committed on the basis of gender and be at least in part due to hostility, animus, or bias toward that gender:
- Rape and sexual assault
- Sexual abuse or molestation
- Domestic violence and intimate partner violence
- Physical assault or battery motivated by gender
- Stalking or false imprisonment with a gender-based motive
- Workplace sexual violence, harrasment, or trafficking
How to Prove Violence and Gender Element
Generally, survivors filing civil lawsuits under GMVA must prove that the conduct involved was a “crime of violence motivated by gender” and that the named defendant whether an individual or an entity is legally liable. If a perpetrator was already convicted in criminal court for the same event, that convictions serves as conclusive proof of the underlying facts of the crime.
However, a criminal conviction is not required to file a civil claim, and a conviction alone does not automatically prove the act was “motivated by gender”. To hold institutions liable, survivors must demonstrate how the organization directed, enabled, participated in, or conspired in the commission of the crime, or how they otherwise failed to protect the victim from foreseeable harm.
Types of Recognized Evidence
Building a strong case requires gathering various forms of evidence to demonstrate both the violence and the motivation behind it. Recognizing that these incidents often happens in private, a survivor’s own tesitmony is an important piece. Other key types of evidence include:
- Medical and Psychological Records: Documentation of physical harm or trauma-related injuries such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
- Institutional Documentation: Internal reports, complaints, or personnel files that show an organization ignored prior warnings or failed to supervise an employee.
- Third-Party Testimony: Statements from witnesses, other survivors of the same perpetrator, or individuals who observed the impact of the abuse.
- Official Records: Prior police reports, even if they did not lead to an arrest, or records of any previous criminal convictions related to the incident.
Damages and Remedies Available
Economic Damages
Survivors can pursue financial recovery for the measurable monetary losses caused by the violence. These damges are intended to restore the survivor’s financial stability and cover long-term costs:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for past and future healthcare costs related to physical injuries sustained during the abuse.
- Therapy and Mental Health Treatment: Coverage for the costs of professional counseling and psychological care needed to process trauma.
- Lost Income: Recovery of wages lost if the abuse prevented the survivor from working.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation for a diminished ability to earn a living in the future due to the long-term impact of the violence.
Emotional Distress and Punitive Damages
Beyond financial losses, the GMVA recognizes the profound, non-economic harm caused by gender-motivated crimes. Survivors can seek:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and general hardship endured.
- Emotional Distress and Trauma: Damages for the severe psychological impact, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- Long-Term Psychological Harm: Recovery for the enduring effects of violence on a survivor's mental well-being and quality of life.
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving especially egregious or malicious conduct, courts may award these damages to punish the defendant and deter future abuse.
Attorney Fee and Costs
To ensure that survivors can afford to seek justice, the GMVA includes provisions that shift the financial burden of litigation from:
- Recovery of Legal Fees: Successful plaintiffs are entitled to have their attorney's fees paid by the defendant.
- Litigation Costs: Survivors can recover the various costs associated with filing and pursuing a civil lawsuit.
- Contingency Fee Arrangements: Many firms, including the Law Offices of Jason Goldman, work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and the firm only gets paid if they successfully resolve your claim.
Filing a GMVA Lawsuit in NYC
Status of Limitations Overview
The new 18-month lookback window officially opened on Janauray 29, 2026, when the new Bill went into effect. This important amendment to the Gender-Motivated Violence Act immediately restored the rights of survivors to bring civil lawsuits for past lawsuits for abuse. Survivors can now file new claims, or amend and refile previously dismissed cases, regardless of how many years or decades have passed since the violence occurred.
What to Expect During the Civil Process
The civil process begins with a confidential case evaluation where an attorney determines eligibility and identifies all liable individuals or institutions. Once a formal complaint is filed in a New York City court, the litigation moves forward independently of any criminal proceedings, meaning a criminal conviction is not necessary to win the case.
Survivors can seek various forms of relief, including compensatory damages for emotional distress, medical costs, and lost income. Throughout the process, your legal team works to preserve critical evidence and build a trauma-informed strategy to minimize re-traumatization while pursuing maximum accountability.
Settlement vs Trial
Many GMVA cases result in settlements, which can provide survivors with guaranteed compensation and a sense of closure without the added stress of a public trial. These settlements can also include non-monetary remedies, such as court-ordered institutional reforms or mandatory policy changes, to help prevent future harm. However, if a fair agreement cannot be reached, our battle-tested trial team at the Law Offices of Jason Goldman are prepared to bring your case before a jury to fight for the justice you deserve. Whether through a negotiated settlement or a verdict at trial, the ultimate goal remains holding abusers and their enablers fully accountable for their actions.
How We Help Survivors
Case Assessment and Strategy
At the Law Offices of Jason Goldman, we begin by conducting a confidential and trauma-informed evaluation of your experience to determine your eligibility under the amended GMVA. Our battle-tested trial team analyzes the unique facts of your case to identify all liable parties, including individual perpetrators and the institutions that enabled them.
We then craft a relentless legal strategy designed to maximize your recovery for physical injuries, emotional distress, and lost wages. This strategic reevaluation is especially crucial for survivors whose previous claims were unjustly dismissed on technical grounds.
Evidence Preservation and Filing
Because the 18-month lookback window is strictly time-limited, our team moves aggressively to preserve critical evidence before it is lost or destroyed. We handle the complex process of gathering medical records, institutional documentation, and witness testimony to build the strongest possible foundation for your claim.
Our firm manages every aspect of drafting and filing your civil complaint in New York City courts, ensuring strict procedural compliance to avoid further delays. By acting swiftly, we protect your right to hold abusers accountable before the window slams shut around July 29, 2027.
Institutional Claims Expertise
Our team has extensive litigation experience and understands how to navigate the specific liability standards required to prove that an entity directed, enabled, or conspired in a crime of violence. Our goal is not only to secure the compensation you deserve but also to force systemic changes that protect others from future harm.
Safety and Privacy Considerations
Your safety and emotional well-being are our highest priorities throughout the entire litigation process. We provide compassionate support and prioritize privacy concerns, recognizing the sensitive nature of sexual and gender-motivated violence cases. At the Law Offices of Jason Goldman, we are dedicated to providing a secure environment where you can finally have your day in court on your own terms.
Get Help Filing and Litigating Your GMVA Claim
This unprecedented 18-month window is a rare, closing door for survivors to finally demand accountability from the individuals and entities that caused them harm. The Law Offices of Jason Goldman will not back down from powerful institutions, and our litigation-ready team is prepared to take your fight all the way to a jury if that is what true justice requires. Time is slipping away, so reach out today and let us aggressively champion your right to financial recovery and systemic change.
FAQ
Is the GMVA different from criminal prosecution?
Yes, the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) is a civil law, not a criminal one. While criminal prosecution seeks jail time or probation, a GMVA lawsuit is focused entirely on accountability and financial compensation for the survivor. Because the two systems are independent, you can win a civil case even if the perpetrator was never arrested or convicted
How long do I have to file a claim?
Under the 2026 amendment, survivors have a strictly limited 18-month lookback window to file their claims. This window opened on January 29, 2026, and is expected to close around July 29, 2027. Because this door will not remain open forever, it is critical to take action immediately to ensure your rights are protected before the deadline passes.
What if the abuse happened years ago?
The new "lookback" provision was specifically designed for you. Bill 1297-A allows you to file a lawsuit for gender-motivated violence that occurred years or even decades ago, as long as the incident took place before January 9, 2022. Even if you were previously told your case was "too old" or "time-barred," this new law effectively resets the clock for a limited time.
Can I sue without pressing criminal charges?
Absolutely. You have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit regardless of whether you ever reported the incident to the police or pressed criminal charges. The civil justice system provides an independent path to justice, allowing you to hold your abuser and enabling institutions accountable on your own terms.
Can I file anonymously?
While the legal process typically requires certain disclosures, our firm prioritizes your safety and privacy above all else. There are legal mechanisms, such as filing as a "John Doe" or "Jane Doe," that can sometimes be used to protect a survivor's identity in the public record. During your confidential consultation, we will discuss the best strategy to balance your pursuit of justice with your need for privacy.
Does the GMVA apply to workplace sexual assault?
Yes. The GMVA explicitly covers sexual violence, rape, and physical assault that occurs within a workplace setting. Furthermore, the 2026 amendment clarifies that you can sue not only the individual attacker but also the employer or organization if they ignored complaints, protected the abuser, or failed to provide a safe environment.