In spite of voting in favor of the Adult Survivors Act, New York Democratic state Sen. Kevin Parker called the legislation unconstitutional after being accused of rape last November.
The Adult Survivors Act, passed in May 2022, gave alleged victims of sexual assault who have passed the statutes of limitations a one-year period to file a civil suit. The time window for filing began on November 24, 2022, and ended a year later.
Parker was accused by Olga Jean-Baptiste of rape in 2004 when they were working at her home on relief efforts in Haiti. Parker allegedly grabbed her by the wrists and forcibly raped her. Jean-Baptiste filed the claim against Parker in November 2023.
The Brooklyn state senator denied the allegations.
“I voted in favor of the [Adult Survivors Act] to ensure all New Yorkers can seek justice and be heard,” Parker wrote of the legislation “These allegations are absolutely untrue. My work and advocacy will continue.”
However, Parker has since backtracked his support of the legislation, which he voted in favor of in 2021.