Q&A
Discussion of Adult Survivor Act lawsuits and allegations against DOC staff
2:33:02
·
108 sec
Council Member Sandy Nurse initiates a discussion about Adult Survivor Act lawsuits filed against the Department of Correction (DOC). She highlights specific cases where correction officers accused of sexual assault remained on duty at Rosie's (Rose M. Singer Center) for extended periods after lawsuits were filed.
- Nurse cites a case where an officer remained employed at Rosie's nearly a month after being named in a lawsuit
- The council member expresses concern about the delay in taking action against accused officers
- DOC officials are questioned about their notification and response processes regarding such lawsuits
Sandy Nurse
2:33:02
I'm gonna turn to the Adult Survivor Act lawsuits.
2:33:06
In preparation for this hearing, we reviewed over 30 lawsuits that contained allegations of sexual results that occurred on Ryker's Island within the past 6 years.
2:33:16
I have some general questions about some patterns that emerged when looking at these cases.
2:33:21
On May 30, 2023, a lawsuit was filed in the Bronx County Supreme Court that alleged that a correction officer sexually abused a woman housed at the Rosen Singer Center in the spring of 2020.
2:33:34
In the complaint, the woman who also bravely recounted her story to the press alleged that a correction officer selected her for a special work assignment.
2:33:44
And then while isolated in a social service office, this officer held her down, sexually assaulted her, and threatened retaliation if she reported the abuse.
2:33:54
The officer who was specifically named in the lawsuit apparently remained employed and still posted at Rosie's nearly a month after the first case was filed.
2:34:04
It's safe to assume this because another woman alleges that the same officer forced her perform sexual acts against her will in an abandoned office.
2:34:14
When the first lawsuit was filed, the department should have been on notice that an officer they employed had been accused of sexual assault.
2:34:23
If some measure of precautionary action at that point, it stands to reason that further harm could have been prevented.
2:34:30
I want I I won't ask you to comment about the specifics of the case because I know you're gonna tell me that you can't.
2:34:37
But in general, when a lawsuit is filed, that alleged an officer currently employed by the department committed actual abuse, does the law department notify DOC?
2:34:48
Just yes or no?
