Three laws signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul this summer expanding financial assistance and protections for victims and survivors of revenge pornography are now effective.
Forty-eight states have passed laws in 2022 that protect survivors against non-consensual pornography. For New Yorkers, a set of three laws has been put into place for their protection.
Survivors of revenge porn and first- and second-degree reckless endangerment are now eligible to receive compensation for counseling, moving expenses, reimbursement for a loss of cash flow or work, and the repair or replacement of cellphone, laptop, or other electronic device.
Survivors of physical domestic violence are now able to use additional documents and information to prove identity theft before debt collection takes place.
New York remains the only state in the nation with no cap on medical or counseling costs, which means survivors of all forms of domestic violence can receive assistance for as long as they need.
"What makes this law unique is that you don't have to actually file a lawsuit, and you don't have to have a criminal case pending in order to be compensated for it," said attorney Daniel Szalkiewicz. "All you have to do is file a police report within a week of the crime being committed and the office will automatically give you the funding that you're entitled to."
Eligibility for compensation is determined by an individual's income and health insurance.
Survivor assistance programs provide services at no cost to those who need.