Mayor Adams vetoes legislation aimed at simplifying the process for gender violence victims to file lawsuits.

On Christmas Eve, Mayor Eric Adams vetoed a significant City Council bill aimed at empowering victims of gender-based violence to sue their perpetrators even after the statute of limitations has expired. This veto, issued just days before Adams concludes his term on December 31, has drawn widespread criticism, particularly given that the City Council had previously approved the bill with a unanimous vote of 48 to 0.

The legislation, authored by Queens Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, is intended to reopen an 18-month window during which alleged victims could file civil lawsuits for incidents of gender-based violence occurring prior to January 9, 2022. This measure follows a previous version of the Gender-Motivated Violence Act that lapsed earlier this year, which had also allowed such claims to be pursued beyond the usual time limits.

In response to the veto, Brooks-Powers emphasized the imperative for the Council to act decisively, urging members to override what she characterized as a callous decision that denies survivors the opportunity to seek justice. She criticized the veto as a reflection of Adams’ willingness to prioritize the interests of powerful entities over the rights of vulnerable individuals.

The Council has a 30-day period within which to consider an override of the mayor’s veto, requiring the support of three-fourths of its 51 members to succeed. In the coming weeks, the Council is set to reconvene with anticipated leadership changes, notably the swearing-in of Manhattan Councilwoman Julie Menin as the new Council speaker.

Mayor Adams, in a statement justifying his veto, expressed concerns regarding the involvement of a specific law firm that has been representing juvenile detainees alleging sexual abuse. He asserted that the bill could potentially allow that firm to recover significant taxpayer funds, contending that the legislation does not genuinely promote justice for survivors but rather serves the financial interests of select attorneys.

The matter is compounded by the context of a recent law, the Adult Survivors Act, established at the state level in 2022, which permits victims of sexual offenses to pursue legal action even after their claims are time-barred. The implications of Adams’ veto resonate not only with current discussions about justice for gender-based violence survivors but also within a broader dialogue on the accountability of elected officials and their responses to advocacy on such critical issues.

As Adams’ tenure comes to a close amidst ongoing discussions about various legislative initiatives and challenges, his successor, Zohran Mamdani, is set to take office on January 1. The outcome of this veto may serve as an early test of the new administration’s approach to issues of social justice and public accountability in New York City.