Last year, a Pennsylvania woman sued former Saturday Night Live cast-member, Horatio Sanz, for allegedly sexually abusing her when she was a minor. Now, she's seeking to add Jimmy Fallon, Tracy Morgan & SNL creator, Lorne Michaels, to her cast of defendants.
This development comes after New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) recently enacted a two-year lookback window which gives accusers two years to revive their previously time-barred claims of gender-motivated violence (defined as a crime of violence motivated by gender).
In addition to extending the statute of limitations, the amendment also expands the scope of the GMVA to include any “party” who “directs, enables, participates in, or conspires in the commission of a crime of violence motivated by gender." This explains why Fallon, Tracy, & Michaels may be in hot water.
If you’ve been the victim of gender-motivated violence in New York City, you now have until March 1, 2025 to file a civil lawsuit for compensatory damages, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, & more.
New Yorkers who live outside the City may bring a lawsuit under a similar statewide law which takes effect November 24, 2022, & gives a one year revival window. If you suffered abuse as a minor, the deadline is February 3, 2023 under one law, & another gives certain victim's until their 55th birthday to commence a case.
Sexual abuse is no laughing matter. These revival statutes give New York victims of sexual abuse a golden opportunity to hold both abusers & enablers accountable.
