NEW YORK – Nearly 200 survivors of sex abuse in New York prisons gathered in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, saying no action has been taken by the state or city to make prisons safer.
The Adult Survivors Act, signed into law in 2022 gave survivors a year to prosecute their abusers and abolished the statute of limitations.
Thousands of cases filed after the Adult Survivors Act became law
Advocates for survivors say more than 2,200 cases have been filed — about 30% coming from Rikers and the rest in New York state prisons.
“We have a state that I don’t think has even thoroughly acknowledged that this is happening,” said attorney Jumaane Williams.
The survivors criticized the governor, saying she failed to acknowledge their pain and take action.
The governor’s office referred CBS News New York to the state Department of Corrections, which said in part that it has “zero tolerance for sexual abuse, sexual harassment and illicit relationships,” and that it was “implementing updated policies” in 2022, including deploying agencies. -worn cameras.
It added that the department does not comment on pending litigation.
As for Rikers, the New York City Department of Correction said it takes claims of sexual misconduct seriously, and that such behavior will not be tolerated. The department cannot comment further due to ongoing litigation.
“It continues to this day”
Tasha Carter Beasley said she entered Rikers Island in the 1990s on a robbery charge. She said she is one of about 20 women raped by the same corrections officer known as “Champagne.”
“When I was raped, I didn’t have a microphone in front of me. I didn’t have ears to listen to me,” she said. “I never thought I would be standing here.”
“We are no longer victims,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
“It existed for a long time before I got into the system, and it continues to this day,” said survivor Jennifer Fecu.
