Reviewed by Laurence P. Banville, Esq.Frequently asked questions
Can I still file a lawsuit if the abuse at camp happened years ago?
Yes. Under New York’s Child Victims Act (CPLR 214-g), survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until age 55 — or 2.5 years from discovering a connection to psychological or physical injury — to file a civil claim. Many survivors are still eligible even decades after the abuse occurred.
Can the camp itself be held responsible, even if I don’t know who the abuser was?
Yes. Camps and their parent organizations can be held legally accountable for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent retention of staff. Civil liability focuses on the institution’s failure to protect you — not just the individual who caused harm.
Is my conversation with Banville Law confidential?
Absolutely. Attorney-client privilege protects every conversation you have with our attorneys. You can share your experience at your own pace, with no obligation to proceed. You decide what happens next.
What if I’m not ready to talk about details yet, or I just need support?
That’s completely understandable — coming forward takes courage, and you are not required to share more than you’re comfortable with. If you need immediate support, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673) is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
What kinds of summer camps can be held liable in New York?
Any camp that failed to protect a child can be named — overnight and sleepaway camps, day camps, sports and academic camps, YMCA and JCC programs, Scouting programs, and religious or church-run camps. Being a nonprofit, religious, or charitable organization does not shield a camp; New York gives those groups no blanket immunity from negligence claims. Parent organizations, camp owners, and the entity that hired the staff can all be proper defendants.
Can I sue the camp if I was abused by another camper rather than a staff member?
Yes. Camper-on-camper sexual abuse can still be the camp's legal responsibility. The claim is built on the camp's own negligence — inadequate supervision, unsafe cabin or bathroom arrangements, or ignoring known risks — not on the camp having employed the person who harmed you. What matters is whether the camp failed to keep you reasonably safe.