WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED AT ROSE M. SINGER CENTER ON RIKERS ISLAND?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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ROSE M. SINGER CENTER ON RIKERS ISLAND SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused on Rikers Island, Including the Rose M. Singer Center
Survivors have filed Rose M. Singer Center sexual abuse lawsuits alleging correctional staff sexual assault and misconduct at Rikers Island in NYC.
Prior to New York’s October 2018’s Raise the Age law, juveniles were held in adult jails, including Rikers Island. Levy Konigsberg has been at the forefront of representing survivors in lawsuits against the City of New York for the sexual abuse these survivors suffered while confined at juvenile detention facilities at the hands of City employees. Levy Konigsberg has already filed over 500 cases on behalf of survivors of child sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities throughout New York City, including Rikers.
Levy Konigsberg is continuing to fight for the brave survivors of abuse at New York City juvenile detention centers.
On November 25, 2025, the New York City Council passed Introduction 1297, an amendment to the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA). Introduction 1297 reopens the GMVA lookback window for 18 months and explicitly reaffirms that the law applies not only to individuals, but also to institutions such as juvenile detention centers. This allows survivors with previously time-barred claims to bring their cases during the 18-month window and to seek justice against the institutions that enabled their abuse.
If you were sexually abused at the Rose M. Singer Center or other Rikers facilities by prison guards or staff, then you should call to speak to a member of Levy Konigsberg immediately. You have rights as a sexual abuse survivor, and we would be honored to help you speak up and use them. Please note that New York law prevents inmates from consenting to any sexual actions with correctional facility officers or staff, so any sexual encounter that you had with Rikers Island staff is sexual assault that can form the basis for a lawsuit.
Were you sexually abused?
Sexual Abuse at the Rose M. Singer Center
There is a long history of sexual abuse reports and incidents at the Rose M. Singer Center. Levy Konigsberg has paid close attention to these reports, so we can be better equipped to represent women who speak up and want to take legal action.
A brief look at the Rose M. Singer Center’s history of inmate sexual abuse includes:
- 2012: The Department of Justice names the Rose M. Singer Center as one of the least safe female correctional facilities in the country due to an extremely high rate of reported sexual assaults.
- 2017: NYC agrees to pay a $1.2 million settlement to two former Rose M. Singer Center inmates who were sexually assaulted by a male guard.
- 2018: NYC agrees to pay $425,000 to a female inmate who was sexually abused by Officers Steven Santiago, David Johnson, and Nana Osei. She participated in an undercover sting operation to expose the offenders.
- February 2019: NYC agrees to pay a $500,000 settlement to a female inmate who was raped by Office Jose Cosme, who pled guilty to felony criminal sex charges. A related administrative trial in 2022 resulted in the firing of Officer Leonard McNeill, who pressures the inmate to not report the attacks.
- July 2019: NYC agrees to pay a $1.2 million settlement to an inmate who was violently raped by three male guards. In the court’s ruling, it was specifically mentioned that the Rose M. Singer Center has twice the national average for reported sexual abuses carried out by correction officers.
- In 2024 and 2025, Levy Konigsberg filed over 535 sexual abuse lawsuits on behalf of survivors who were sexually abused at Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn, Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in the Bronx, Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx and Rikers Island. The lawsuits were filed against the City of New York for the sexual abuse these survivors suffered while confined at juvenile detention facilities at the hands of City employees. Some of these individuals were sexually abused at multiple juvenile detention facilities in New York City. The lawsuits allege that despite widespread reports, investigations, and campaigns to close or reform these juvenile detention facilities, the City of New York has allowed a culture of sexual abuse and brutality to continue unabated. The abuse endured by these plaintiffs stretches across decades. The lawsuits include allegations of heinous assault, groping, forced oral sex and rape perpetrated by staff members against juveniles at these facilities.
This list of known sexual abuses is not comprehensive. Investigations have provided evidence that many more women were sexually abused at the Rose M. Singer Center. There are many more sexual assaults committed by staff members and officers that have not yet been reported.
No Consent Possible Between Inmates & Officers
New York law makes it impossible for an inmate to consent to any sexual behavior with a correctional facility staff member or officer. If you engaged in sexual actions with an officer at the Rose M. Singer Center, then it was not consensual by legal definition. Furthermore, it was automatically prohibited and punishable behavior on part of the officer or staff member, which would allow you to seek compensation through the Adult Survivors Act.
Reporting Sexual Abuse on Rikers Island
Many women are now coming forward to report the sexual abuse they suffered at the Rose M. Singer Center. It is important for the voices of the many women this happened to be heard so that the abusers and New York Prison System can be held accountable. The New York Adult Survivors Act does not require you to have filed an official report to the state before filing a lawsuit in civil court. The one-year lookback window created by the ASA expires on November 24, 2023. Before it expires, you can start a lawsuit for a sexual assault at Rosie’s, no matter when it occurred.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other women's prison staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold women's prisons, youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect female inmates.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
New York Juvenile Detention Center Attorneys
A statute of limitations sets deadlines for victims to bring claims against their abuser or entities responsible for the abuse. New York has pioneered efforts to make it easier for sexual abuse survivors to seek justice and compensation.
In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, expanding the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under current law: (1) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at privately operated juvenile detention centers who were born after February 14, 1998, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits; and (2) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers operated by governmental entities, who were born after November 15, 1999, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits.
In addition, on January 29, 2026, the New York City Council enacted Introduction 1297, an amendment to the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA). Introduction 1297 reopens the GMVA lookback window for 18 months. As a result, survivors with previously time-barred claims for sexual abuse that occurred in New York City and prior to January 9, 2022 can file lawsuits between January 29, 2026 and July 29, 2027. Survivors of sexual abuse that occurred in New York City and on or after January 9, 2022 have seven years to bring their claims.
Thus, there may be new avenues to seek justice for previously time-barred claims of abuse at New York juvenile detention centers. If you were sexually abused at a New York juvenile detention center at any time, reach out today.
We Represent Survivors in All Types of Sex Abuse Claims
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.