Message from D.A. Bragg: This April, we are sharing recent prosecutions and elevating our work in the community in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The mission of our Special Victims Division is to center survivors by conducting trauma-informed investigations and prosecutions while ensuring survivors have the services and support they need to heal. I hope you join me in honoring this important month, including on Denim Day, April 30th.
Denim Day is the last Wednesday in April when people across the world wear denim to denounce harmful attitudes that surround sexual violence and show support for survivors. Wear denim on April 30th!]
Prosecuting Sexual Violence
Yesterday, we announced the 116-count indictment of Ryan Hemphill, an attorney who worked in private equity, for the alleged predatory sexual assault of six women in his apartment. “We allege that Ryan Hemphill raped and violently assaulted six different women in his apartment in just five months,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Further, we allege that he threatened the women and used his position as an attorney to intimidate them and prevent them from reporting these crimes. This investigation is ongoing, and we have reason to believe there may be additional survivors. Our talented prosecutors and investigators, as well as our specially trained counselors, are here to support you, no matter how powerful the person who assaulted you may seem. Please call our Special Victims Division at 212-335-3400.”
We also announced the trial conviction of William Hathaway for raping a young woman in his West Village apartment following their first date. “This conviction makes clear that initial consent is not a blank check for rape. This survivor clearly said stop again and again, but the defendant did not. I thank her for taking the stand and delivering frank and honest testimony while enduring repeated claims that she was a liar full of regret. I’m grateful to the members of the jury for their service and several days of careful deliberation.”
Standing With Survivors D.A. Bragg joined the 40th Annual Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil as we gathered with victims’ loved ones, advocates, and community leaders to remember loved ones lost to crime and commend the strength of survivors.
Watch as Hannah Pennington, Deputy Chief for Gender-Based Violence Policy, highlighted what our office is doing to better support survivors of domestic and sexual violence during a Sanctuary for Families panel.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Seeking Accountability for Sexual Violence We announced the guilty plea of Albert Brown for forcing a 24-year-old woman to perform oral sex on him while threatening her at gunpoint. “Every New Yorker deserves to be safe walking our city’s streets and I hope the survivor can continue to heal and recover from the trauma she has experienced,” said D.A. Bragg.
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