The Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island has been the subject of hundreds of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of women in custody. Survivors have accused correction officers, medical personnel, and others of sexual assault and misconduct, while some lawsuits have alleged that the City of New York and the New York City Department of Correction failed to protect people in their custody from foreseeable abuse.
If you experienced sexual abuse while confined at the Rose M. Singer Center in NYC, NY, you may have legal options for seeking compensation and accountability. Reach out to Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers at (212) 514-5007 for a free consultation with a NYC personal injury lawyer.
How Can Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers Help With My Rikers Island Sexual Abuse Claim in New York City, NY?
Sexual abuse cases involving a correctional facility in New York City, New York, can require extensive investigation. Evidence may include employment records, prior complaints, facility records, medical records, witness statements, and information about earlier allegations against the same employee.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers can help by:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse
- Identifying potentially responsible individuals and entities
- Obtaining available records and other evidence
- Reviewing prior complaints involving employees or the facility
- Determining which state, local, or federal claims may apply
- Evaluating filing deadlines and procedural requirements
- Documenting the harm caused by the abuse
- Negotiating for a settlement when appropriate
- Taking the case to court when necessary
Our New York City personal injury attorneys can handle the legal process while respecting the sensitive and deeply personal nature of these claims. Call us today for a free case review.
What Is the Rose M. Singer Center?
The Rose M. Singer Center, commonly known as RMSC or “Rosie’s,” is a facility on Rikers Island that has traditionally housed women in the custody of the New York City Department of Correction.
For years, lawsuits and other legal proceedings have raised allegations of sexual misconduct involving women confined there. A federal lawsuit, for example, alleged that women incarcerated at RMSC were sexually abused by a physician assistant working at the facility.
More recently, hundreds of lawsuits were filed alleging abuse dating back years or even decades. New York City’s own financial disclosures state that the vast majority of its Adult Survivors Act cases involve women alleging rape or sexual assault at RMSC.
What Do the Rose M. Singer Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Allege?
Every survivor’s experience is different. However, lawsuits involving the Rose M. Singer Center have included allegations of sexual assault and abuse by correction officers, healthcare workers, and other individuals.
Claims may involve allegations such as:
- Sexual assault or rape by correction officers
- Sexual contact by medical or healthcare personnel
- Abuse occurring in secluded areas of the facility
- Threats or retaliation intended to prevent reporting
- Failure to properly investigate complaints
- Failure to supervise employees
- Failure to protect incarcerated people from known or foreseeable risks
- Negligent hiring, retention, or supervision of employees
Some claims therefore extend beyond the conduct of an individual alleged abuser and raise questions about whether institutional failures allowed abuse to occur or continue.
Can an Incarcerated Person Consent to Sexual Activity With a Correctional Employee?
New York law places significant restrictions on sexual activity between people in custody and correctional employees because of the inherent imbalance of power.
Under New York Penal Law § 130.05, a person committed to the care and custody of a local correctional facility is deemed incapable of consent in specified circumstances when the other person is an employee of the facility. The statute covers employees performing duties involving custody, medical or mental health services, counseling, education, or vocational training.
As a result, when an employee or other person falls within the categories covered by the statute, an incarcerated person may be legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity with that individual.
Who May Be Liable for Sexual Abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center?
The person who committed the alleged abuse may not be the only potentially responsible party.
Depending on the circumstances and the legal claims available, a lawsuit could involve:
- A correction officer accused of sexual abuse
- A medical provider or other staff member
- A supervisor
- A private contractor or healthcare provider
- The New York City Department of Correction
- The City of New York
- Other parties whose actions or failures contributed to the abuse
Determining liability can be complicated, particularly when claims involve a government entity. The facts surrounding the abuse, the identity and employment status of the alleged perpetrator, prior complaints, and what supervisors knew may all be relevant.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Rose M. Singer Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Sexual abuse can cause consequences that continue long after a survivor leaves Rikers Island. A civil lawsuit can seek monetary compensation for the physical, psychological, and financial harm associated with the abuse.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Mental health treatment and counseling
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other losses related to the abuse
The compensation available depends on the facts of the individual case, the legal claims asserted, and the parties who can be held responsible.
Contact Our New York City Personal Injury Attorneys Today to Arrange a Free Consultation
Survivors of sexual abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center may have legal options for seeking compensation and holding responsible parties accountable. Even if the abuse occurred many years ago, it can be worthwhile to speak with an attorney about whether a claim remains available.
Rosenbaum Meier Personal Injury Lawyers has more than 40 years of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. Contact us today to arrange a complimentary, confidential consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer.