Victims’ Rights Services at Veridian Legal: NYC Advocates for Survivors

Veridian Legal P.C. is a New York City law firm focused on representing individuals whose privacy, reputation, or safety has been violated by another person. We handle civil claims for victims of revenge porn and non-consensual intimate imagery, deepfake sexual abuse, defamation, sexual violence, and intimate partner harm. Our clients include adults and minors, professionals and students, and people across New York and New Jersey who need attorneys who understand both the legal landscape and the personal dimensions of what they are going through.

We have received over $50 million in settlement and judgments for clients, with more than $40 million specifically for victims of image-based sexual abuse and non-consensual intimate imagery. Free consultations are available at (212) 706-1007

Revenge Porn and NonConsensual Intimate Images

Non-consensual intimate images (NCII), often called revenge porn, is the distribution of private sexual images without the subject's consent. It is a civil wrong under New York Civil Rights Law section 52-b, a crime under New York Penal Law section 245.15, and the basis of a federal civil claim under 15 U.S.C. section 6851 when it crosses state lines. All three avenues are available to New York victims, and we pursue whichever combination is best for your case.

A civil lawsuit under section 52-b can result in compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney's fees and costs from the defendant. The law covers photographs, videos, and AI-generated or digitally altered imagery. It reaches anonymous defendants through a John Doe process that uses court-issued subpoenas to identify who is behind the account.

The unauthorized sharing of intimate images—commonly known as revenge porn or NCP—can devastate lives. Veridian Legal leads the fight for survivors in NYC and beyond:

• New York Revenge Porn Lawyers: We pursue justice under NY Penal Law 245.15 for unlawful dissemination of intimate images.

• Revenge Porn Lawsuit: File a lawsuit to recover damages for emotional distress and reputational harm.

• Emotional Distress From Revenge Porn: We seek compensation for the psychological impact of NCP.

• Revenge Porn Damages in NY: From financial losses to punitive damages, we fight for full recovery.

• NYC Revenge Porn Law: Understand your rights under local laws with our expert guidance.

• Suffolk County Revenge Porn: Serving Suffolk County victims with dedicated advocacy.

• Westchester County Revenge Porn: Protecting Westchester survivors from online abuse.

• Nassau County Revenge Porn: Supporting Nassau County clients in their fight for justice.

• Civil Rights Law 52-b: Using NY’s Civil Rights Law to sue for unauthorized image disclosure.

• 15 U.S. Code § 6851 Federal Lawsuit: Pursuing federal claims for NCP violations.

• Revenge Porn and Bankruptcy: Protecting your recovery if a perpetrator files for bankruptcy.

• Preserving Evidence: Guidance on saving critical evidence for your case.

• Family Offense Petitions: Seeking protective orders in Family Court for added safety.

• NY Revenge Porn FAQ: Answers to common questions about revenge porn laws in NYC.

• Parents’ Guide to Revenge Porn: Helping parents protect children from online exploitation.

Deepfake Intimate Imagery and AI-Generated Sexual Abuse

AI tools now allow anyone with a photograph of another person to generate realistic nude or sexually explicit imagery without consent. This is deepfake intimate imagery, and it causes the same harm as real non-consensual photographs because the impact on the victim is identical. Courts and legislatures have recognized this.

New York Civil Rights Law section 52-b explicitly covers images created through digitization and AI generation. The TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed into federal law in May 2025, requires major online platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, after receiving a valid notice. The DEFIANCE Act, which passed the Senate in January 2026 and is pending in the House, would create an additional explicit federal civil cause of action for deepfake sexual abuse.

We represent people whose real photographs have been used to generate fabricated sexual imagery, people who have been targeted with deepfake images they never took, and people whose digitally altered images have been circulated on platforms, in group chats, or through anonymous accounts

Protecting Minor Victims: Deepfake and Revenge Porn in Schools

When the victim is a minor, the legal picture changes in important ways. A parent can bring a civil lawsuit on behalf of their child as a natural guardian or court-appointed guardian ad litem without waiting for the child to turn 18. New York's infancy tolling rule means the statute of limitations does not begin to run against a minor victim until they reach the age of 18, giving families more time than adult victims have.

Defendants in school-based cases are not limited to the student who created or shared the images. We evaluate claims against the perpetrating student, their parents under a negligent supervision theory, and the school district itself under New York's Dignity for All Students Act when the school was notified and failed to act appropriately.

Emergency platform removal is always the first step. The TAKE IT DOWN Act applies to minors and we file removal notices on the same day we are retained in urgent situations.

Defamation Defense: When False Statements Attack Your Reputation

Defamation is the publication of a false statement of fact that damages your reputation. In New York, defamation claims require proof that a false statement was published to a third party, that it was about you, and that it caused harm. For public figures, actual malice must also be shown.

We represent defendants who have been hit with defamation lawsuits filed to silence them rather than to vindicate genuine reputational harm. These are known as SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), and New York's anti-SLAPP law gives defendants a powerful set of tools to fight back. Under New York Civil Rights Law sections 70-a and 76-a, a defendant who prevails in a SLAPP case can recover all attorney's fees and costs from the plaintiff who brought the frivolous suit.

We also represent plaintiffs pursuing legitimate defamation claims against individuals and businesses who have published false, harmful statements. We have handled defamation cases arising from online reviews, social media posts, competitor statements, and media publications.

Unmasking Anonymous Accounts

Online harassment and defamation often come from people hiding behind anonymous usernames, burner accounts, or platforms that do not require real name registration. The anonymity of the internet does not mean legal accountability is impossible.

We pursue John Doe discovery proceedings in New York courts to identify anonymous defendants. Once a case is filed against an unnamed defendant, we use the subpoena power of the court to compel platforms to disclose account records, IP addresses, email addresses, and device data associated with the account. We have successfully identified anonymous defendants in cases across platforms including Reddit, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), OnlyFans, Pornhub, and smaller adult content sites.

Knowing who is behind an account is the prerequisite to suing them, to obtaining a takedown, and sometimes to negotiating a resolution. We make that identification part of every case that needs it.

Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Harm

We represent survivors of sexual assault, campus sexual violence, and intimate partner abuse in civil proceedings. A civil lawsuit operates independently of a criminal prosecution. You do not need a criminal conviction, or even a criminal charge, to pursue a civil claim for damages. Many of our clients pursued civil cases after prosecutors declined to charge, or in parallel with ongoing criminal proceedings.

Civil claims for sexual violence can recover compensatory damages for physical injuries, psychological harm, lost income, and medical expenses, as well as punitive damages designed to hold the perpetrator financially accountable for their conduct. Where institutional defendants such as universities, employers, or organizations failed to prevent or respond to known abuse, we assess claims against those institutions as well.

Victims of sexual violence and abuse deserve compassionate, fierce representation. Veridian Legal stands with survivors:

• Sexual Assault: We advocate for survivors, pursuing civil claims for trauma and damages.

• College Campus Sexual Assault: Supporting students assaulted on NYC campuses with legal action.

• Intimate Partner Violence: Helping victims of domestic violence seek justice and protection.

What Victims' Rights Litigation Looks Like at Veridian Legal

Every case we take starts with a free consultation. In that conversation, we are direct about what we see in the case, what the realistic outcomes are, and what the likely costs are. We do not tell clients what they want to hear. We tell them what the law actually provides and what the evidence actually supports.

If we take the case, we move quickly. Emergency platform removals, evidence preservation demands, and litigation holds go out in the first days of representation. We litigate aggressively and have a documented record of results including a landmark New Jersey intimate image case and recoveries for clients in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond.

Attorney's fees are recoverable from defendants in cases brought under New York Civil Rights Law section 52-b, the federal NCII statute, and New York's anti-SLAPP law. We discuss fee arrangements in the first consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for a revenge porn civil lawsuit in New York?

Under New York Civil Rights Law section 52-b, the statute of limitations is the later of three years from the date of dissemination or one year from the date the victim discovered the dissemination. For minor victims, the limitations period does not begin to run until the victim turns 18 due to New York's infancy tolling rule.

Can I sue someone I cannot identify?

Yes. You can file a lawsuit against an unknown defendant, sometimes called a John Doe defendant. Once litigation is initiated, we use court-issued subpoenas to compel platforms to disclose the account information and IP data associated with the anonymous account. Courts in New York regularly permit this process where the plaintiff can demonstrate a viable underlying claim.

What damages can I recover?

Under section 52-b, you can recover compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, punitive damages, and attorney's fees and costs from the defendant. There is no statutory cap on punitive damages under the current law. Federal claims under 15 U.S.C. section 6851 provide for a minimum of $150,000 in damages in qualifying cases.

Does it matter if the images were fabricated or AI-generated?

No. New York Civil Rights Law section 52-b expressly covers images created or altered through digitization, including AI-generated deepfake imagery. The TAKE IT DOWN Act similarly applies to AI-generated non-consensual intimate images. The fabricated nature of the image is not a defense for the defendant.

Can I get the images removed while the lawsuit is pending?

Yes, and platform removal typically happens before the lawsuit is filed. We send formal removal notices under the TAKE IT DOWN Act and related platform policies at the outset of the representation. Where platforms fail to comply, we seek injunctive relief through the courts. Emergency applications are available in urgent situations.

What if the perpetrator lives in another state?

New York courts have personal jurisdiction over defendants who cause harm to New York-based plaintiffs through conduct directed at this state, even if the defendant is located elsewhere. Federal claims under 15 U.S.C. section 6851 can also be brought in federal court regardless of the defendant's state of residence. We have successfully handled cases involving out-of-state and international defendants.

Why Choose Veridian Legal for Your Victims’ Rights Case?

With 25+ years of experience, Veridian Legal has secured over $50,000,000 in settlements and judgments for clients, including over $40,000,000 specifically for NCP and image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) survivors. We combine legal expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional toll of abuse, ensuring you feel supported throughout your case. From securing damages under Civil Rights Law 52-b for a Manhattan revenge porn victim to obtaining protective orders for a Queens survivor of intimate partner violence, we’ve helped hundreds reclaim their lives. Our free consultations and contingency fee options mean you pay nothing unless we win. Call (212) 706-1007 to start your journey to justice with Veridian Legal.

Start with a Free Consultation

If you have been targeted with revenge porn, deepfake imagery, defamation, or another form of privacy or reputational harm, call us at (212) 706-1007 or email info@veridianlegal.com. The consultation is free, confidential, and you will speak directly with an attorney. We represent clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey.