New York Workplace Sexual Abuse: Rights and Options

Sexual assault in the workplace is a serious issue in New York. For those who live in New York and have been impacted, you have legal rights and options available.

Workplace sexual assault can occur within the actual workplace or at external events such as happy hours, client dinners or trade shows. It can include acts such as fondling, groping, rape, attempted rape, or any other non-consensual physical, sexual contact. These cases can involve a boss, co-worker, vendor or customer and experiencing sexual assault in the workplace can be incredibly traumatic due to the inherent trust in professional relationships.

The first step in protecting and pursuing your rights is to report the assaults to your employer. This could be done through your manager or HR department and should be done in writing with a copy sent to yourself. All future communications should also be recorded or in writing to ensure you have full documentation.

Reporting the incident to your employer should initiate an internal investigation, but employers often fail to properly investigate or take necessary action to prevent further harm. If your employer neglects to investigate, retaliates against you such as placing you on leave or fails to act, you may have additional legal rights including the option to file a civil lawsuit.

You may also choose to report the incident to law enforcement which can help establish a paper trail even if criminal charges are not pursued. Having this documentation may support future legal action for you and others.

Workplace sexual assault lawsuits are typically filed against an employer for failing to uphold their legal obligation to maintain a safe work environment. These cases generally seek financial compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress and lost wages.

Given the complexity of these cases, it is crucial to consult with an experienced workplace sexual assault attorney in New York as soon as possible. Time is of the essence as you may have as little as 2 years to file a claim based on the facts and circumstances of your case.

Here at Helping Survivors, we can connect you with an experienced attorney for free today. If you have any questions or would like to know more and think we can assist please get in touch with us.