If you were harmed by sexual abuse in New York, you deserve to be heard and protected. Our legal team handles these cases with care, discretion, and strength.
Sexual abuse in the workplace destroys careers, mental health, and financial stability. Whether you experienced assault by a supervisor, were groped by a coworker, or faced repeated unwanted physical contact, you deserve justice and compensation.
At Megan Thomas Law, we represent survivors of sexual abuse across New York. We know how difficult it is to come forward. We also know that holding abusers and negligent employers accountable requires an attorney who won’t back down.
Workplace sexual abuse is a form of sexual harassment and involves unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. It’s more severe than verbal harassment and often leaves survivors feeling violated, unsafe, and traumatized.
Examples include:
Under New York State Human Rights Law, you don’t need to prove the abuse was “severe or pervasive.” Even a single incident of sexual abuse can violate your rights if it subjects you to inferior working conditions.
Abusers come from all levels of the workplace:
Your employer has a legal duty to protect you from sexual abuse, regardless of who commits it.
New York provides some of the strongest protections for sexual abuse survivors in the country:
All employers are covered — even businesses with just one employee must follow the law.
Extended filing deadline — you have up to three years to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Broader protections — harassment doesn’t need to be “severe or pervasive” to be illegal.
Retaliation is prohibited — your employer cannot fire, demote, or punish you for reporting abuse.
Multiple paths to justice — you can file with the state, pursue a lawsuit, or both.
These laws apply to full-time employees, part-time workers, interns, independent contractors, and even job applicants.
Sexual abuse happens across every industry, but we frequently see cases in:
No matter where you work in New York, sexual abuse is illegal.
Get to a safe location immediately. If you’re in danger, call 911. Your physical safety comes first.
Go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Medical professionals can document injuries, provide treatment, and collect evidence if you choose to pursue criminal charges later.
Do not wash clothing — place items in a paper bag if possible.
Save texts, emails, or messages — screenshot everything related to the incident.
Write down what happened — include dates, times, locations, and witnesses.
Keep security footage or access logs — if your workplace has cameras or card readers.
Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. What you say early on to your employer can impact your case. We will protect your rights from day one and help you avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim.
Many survivors feel pressured to file complaints with the New York State Division of Human Rights or the EEOC immediately. If your claim is still within the statute of limitations, we recommend holding off until you speak with an attorney. These agencies can help, but filing without legal guidance can hurt your case. We’ve seen employers use premature filings to their advantage. Let us review your situation first, then we’ll determine the best strategy together.
If you pursue a sexual abuse claim in New York, you may recover:
Employers often use tactics to minimize sexual abuse claims:
Blaming the victim — suggesting you “misunderstood” or “encouraged” the behavior.
Claiming ignorance — saying they didn’t know, even when warning signs were obvious.
Protecting the abuser — quietly transferring them instead of terminating employment.
Forcing arbitration — using employment contracts to keep cases out of court.
Offering inadequate settlements — hoping you’ll accept less than your claim is worth.
Retaliating — demoting, isolating, or firing you after you report abuse.
We anticipate these tactics and fight back aggressively.
Sexual abuse cases are legally complex and emotionally difficult. You need an attorney who understands both the law and the trauma you’ve experienced.
We investigate thoroughly — identifying witnesses, reviewing workplace policies, and uncovering patterns of abuse.
We preserve evidence — securing security footage, personnel files, and internal complaints before they disappear.
We negotiate aggressively — pushing for full compensation, not quick settlements that shortchange survivors.
We litigate when necessary — taking cases to trial when employers refuse fair resolutions.
We protect against retaliation — monitoring your employer’s actions and holding them accountable for any punishment.
Speaking up about sexual abuse takes courage. New York law protects you from retaliation, including:
If your employer retaliates after you report sexual abuse, that’s a separate legal violation. We’ll hold them accountable for both.
New York State Division of Human Rights
Address: One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, NY 10458
Phone: (718) 741-8300; (844) 697-3471
Website: https://dhr.ny.gov
Sexual abuse at work steals your sense of safety, dignity, and control. It damages your career and your mental health. But you don’t have to accept it or move on quietly.
New York law gives you powerful tools to fight back. At Megan Thomas Law, we use those tools to demand accountability and secure the compensation you deserve. You’ve already survived the abuse. Now let us fight for your future.
Contact Megan Thomas Law today to speak with a New York sexual abuse attorney who will listen, believe you, and fight for justice.
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