Recent investigations by Gothamist have unveiled a harrowing pattern of sexual abuse and misconduct within New York City's Rikers Island jail, drawing comparisons to other major sexual abuse scandals. Reports detail a system where jail employees allegedly engaged in acts ranging from groping to violent rape, with incidents dating from 1976 to as recently as last year. The allegations have led to over 700 women coming forward, with 719 civil lawsuits filed under the Adult Survivors Act against the City of New York and the NYC Department of Correction, seeking a total of $14 billion in damages. This has prompted responses from city officials and lawmakers, with NYC Mayor Adams facing scrutiny over his awareness of the issue and vows for legislative action and hearings to address the systemic failures.
Top Chicago hospitals accused of ignoring sexual abuse allegations against gynecologist for decades https://t.co/bP5QbTmreN
719 sexual assault lawsuits over alleged abuse at Rikers Island seek $14 billion from NYC. @MKramerTV reports. https://t.co/Ubpcqreeea
The 700+ cases filed regarding allegations of sexual assault at Rikers require immediate and thorough investigations. My statement: https://t.co/DAAQKM4btn https://t.co/qWaSSK7dSW
NY lawmakers vow legislation and hearings in response to sexual abuse allegations at Rikers https://t.co/1ieoiCAd2N
NYC Mayor Adams defends controversial top aide accused of sexual harassment https://t.co/sB1zfik4jQ
“This is the first time I became aware of it," Mayor Adams said about this incredible, in-depth report of sexual assault on Rikers ... which, yes, it's a new story, but it's not a new issue, at all. And I imagine Adams knew it was a problem. https://t.co/pZeBuNsa7x
Mismanagement and abuse in NY jail systems has a human cost resulting in life-altering events. It’s deeply concerning + illustrative that 57% of ASA lawsuits filed at State Supreme Court allege sexual misconduct inside a deeply dysfunctional Rikers Island.https://t.co/T7bZhuovsy
"At least nine women said they were sexually assaulted or raped while pregnant on Rikers Island, including one who said a doctor groped her breasts and prodded her so intensely during a gynecological exam that her cervix ruptured." https://t.co/17l5QxFHY3
Reading this made me sick to my stomach. Our city has consistently failed to keep women in custody safe. Today I am thinking of the survivors who endured horrific abuse. We need to shut down that hellhole and bulldoze the jails. Rikers is irredeemable. https://t.co/4LuzXXtqBC
"Accounts spanning from 1976 to as recently as last year describe a system where jail employees groped detainees, forcibly kissed them, ordered them to perform oral sex and engaged in violent rape." — @jessyednews @samanthaellimax report https://t.co/cpNpYt0m9O
A new report shares stories from women who were pregnant while in county jails across Illinois. Researchers also learned that a quarter of county jails do not have written policies on how to care for people who are pregnant or postpartum. https://t.co/F3pqj9kqTL
"719 civil lawsuits analyzed by @Gothamist that were recently filed against the City of New York and the NYC Department of Correction under the #AdultSurvivorsAct" bombshell reporting by @samanthaellimax @jessyednews https://t.co/dvjR4qfCKw
The allegations span decades and place NYC’s jail system in the company of other powerful institutions plagued by massive sexual abuse scandals in recent years, including Columbia University, USA Gymnastics and the Catholic Church. Read the story: https://t.co/WSv2qHRPXK https://t.co/OrBlGl2Cpx
“A system where jail employees groped detainees, forcibly kissed them, ordered them to perform oral sex and engaged in violent rape.” Jaw-dropping investigation from @jessyednews @samanthaellimax @Gothamist @c_werth into decades of sexual abuse @ Rikers https://t.co/2uRYapH4iP
Vital and important reporting from my @WNYC @Gothamist colleagues @samanthaellimax and @jessyednews Late-night sex assaults. Invasive searches. The 700+ women alleging abuse at Rikers. https://t.co/001pTRUbSB via @gothamist
“Late-night sex assaults. Invasive searches. The 700+ women alleging abuse at Rikers.” Really good reporting by Gothamist https://t.co/n8ZI0KDNBp
Late-night sex assaults. Invasive searches. The 700+ women alleging abuse at Rikers. https://t.co/I5Bf2MLPkA
How @nytimes local investigations fellows @IlyssaDaly, @SteelandBallast and @nate_rosenfield revealed sex abuse, torture allegations at Mississippi sheriff’s offices via @ShorensteinCtr https://t.co/uKQiTz4HCi