NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Judge Dismisses Hundreds of Juvenile Detention Abuse Cases, City Council Funds Legal Aid for Divorce, and Jets Lose 4th Straight

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

Hundreds of lawsuits filed by people who say they were sexually abused in New York City juvenile detention centers have been dismissed by a Bronx judge, leaving more than 450 survivors in legal limbo due to wording in the city’s gender-based violence law. Meanwhile, the New York City Council has set aside $2 million to provide divorce lawyers for low-income survivors of domestic violence. Also, the New York Jets fell to the Miami Dolphins 27–21 on Monday Night.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Tuesday, September 30th. Here's your morning headlines from Michael Hill. More than 450 people who claim they were sexually abused while in juvenile detention centers are stuck in legal limbo. WNYC Samantha Max explains. A recent city law allowed New Yorkers to sue people and institutions for, enabling gender-based violence. Hundreds of people use the law to sue the city for their treatment and juvenile detention. But a Bronx judge recently dismissed hundreds of cases because of an issue

with how the law is worded. Jerome Block is an attorney representing many of the plaintiffs. I think many of the survivors really just feel like the rug was pulled out from under them. A bill is pending in the city council that would allow lawsuits against alleged enablers of abuse to move forward. The New York City Council will set aside $2 million to help low-income survivors of domestic violence who can't afford a divorce lawyer. Laura Russell is with a legal aid society. She says divorces can take a year if they're uncontested, but most domestic violence cases are contested, and finalizing those divorces can take four to five years. Russell says divorces can help survivors access retirement benefits or housing. You're really talking about

people who, if they're not able to get the access to the benefits that they can get through a divorce, they really can be left homeless and with no place to turn. The program will serve hundreds of people who can show they have experienced domestic violence and are income eligible starting next year. The New York Jets lost last night to the Dolphins 27 and 21 in Miami on Monday night football. The Jets have lost all four games of this young NFL season under new head coach, Aaron Glenn. This was the Dolphins first win this season in four tries. As for the New York football Giants, they won their first game of the season over the L.A. Chargers, 21 to 18. That was on Sunday with Giants rookie quarterback Jackson Dart, making his

first start as a professional football player. We're at 66 degrees now with hardly cloudy skies, It's mostly cloudy and a warm 81 today with a calm wind, tonight mid-50s and wind gusts as high as 22 miles an hour as a cool front moves through the area. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Catch us every weekday three times a day for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives and subscribe wherever you get your podcast.

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