FYI: 'Speak Your Truth Act' Would Make it Harder for Sexual Abusers to Sue Their Accusers for Defamation

ALBANY, NY (03/12/2025) (readMedia)-- With the 2025 elections underway, survivor justice advocates are speaking out about the ways public officials accused of sexual violence silence survivors through defamation lawsuits – which is, unfortunately, still legal in New York. The 'Speak Your Truth Act' (A687/S2419) would change this.

The bill would make it harder for perpetrators to weaponize defamation lawsuits against survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. Specifically, the bill would amend New York State Civil Rights Law to deem survivors' communications about incidents of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination privileged. It would also ensure that when perpetrators bring defamation lawsuits against survivors for making such privileged communications, survivors are entitled to reasonable attorneys fees for their defense, as well as other damages.

Erica Vladimir, co-founder of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, and professor and attorney Victoria Burke are available for interviews.

The bill is supported by leading survivor justice organizations, including the National Women's Law Center, NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Ultra Violet, Safe Horizon, RAINN, the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and more. The legislators are working with Victoria Burke, an attorney and professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles who drafted the model legislation. The bill passed in California and was signed into law by Governor Newsom.