By 
New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights into law on Friday, December 21’s in a history-making move.
Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights was advocated for by a 30 Under 30 nonprofit group called Rise. The nonprofit’s founder and CEO, who was also a 2018 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Amanda Nguyen, led Rise to be the force behind the bill. Rise worked for over two years on advocating for this bill.
“This bill represent 6.8 million survivors receiving basic civil rights and equality under the law,” says Nguyen. She goes on to say, “For many of our Risers who were betrayed by a broken criminal justice system, it means the closest thing to closure and justice they will ever experience.”
What does the law do?
It requires law enforcement officials to inform victims of their rights in NY. These rights include:
1. Cases are to be suitably reported
2. Appropriate health care will be provided at no cost
3. Survivors will have access to counseling services
4. Survivors can request information from state officials on the sexual offense evidence kit
5. Lengthens the retention time of rape kits from 30 days to 20 years
Nguyen hopes that this bill can make New York a model for sexual assault survivors’ rights.
These new rights give voice to many sexual assault victims who have been ignored, shamed, and felt powerless.
For information about what steps you can take if you are a survivor of sexual assault or sexual harassment, send us a message.
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