Exotic Dancer-turned-Lawyer Sues NYC Clubs for $10M Over Abuse

URGENT UPDATE: A former exotic dancer, now a lawyer, has filed a sensational lawsuit against five New York City strip clubs, alleging $10 million in damages for sex trafficking, assault, and more. Christine DeMaria, 37, claims she was subjected to horrific abuse, including rape, while working at Sapphire 39 and Sapphire 60 in Manhattan.

DeMaria’s shocking allegations come as she details her traumatic experiences in the industry. “I was sexually assaulted by customers while on stage,” she recounted. “A guy choked me with a belt and raped me against a wall.” She further alleges she was fired for reporting these crimes, with management dismissively telling her, “You’re a stripper. You asked for this.”

Her claims are not isolated; four other former dancers have joined in the lawsuit against Sapphire, asserting they also faced sexual violence leading to severe emotional and physical harm. “Too many strip clubs operate as if women who agree to dance also agree to be sexually assaulted or even raped,” stated attorney Megan Goddard, who represents DeMaria and the other plaintiffs.

The lawsuits, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, seek to hold the clubs accountable for their alleged complicity in the abuse. DeMaria is also pursuing $15 million from Vivid Cabaret and Hoops Cabaret, accusing them of similar offenses, alongside a $2.5 million claim against Gossip on Long Island for sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

DeMaria’s past is equally harrowing. She was trafficked to Arizona at age 15 and entered the stripping scene in 2014. After enduring years of mistreatment, she left the industry in 2021 to pursue a legal career, graduating from New York Law School in June 2023 and passing the state bar shortly thereafter. She now leads a nonprofit called Switch, aimed at helping dancers transition out of the industry.

“I have devoted my professional life to advocating for strippers, sex workers, and victims of human trafficking,” DeMaria declared. As her lawsuits progress, she hopes to enact significant change in the strip club industry.

Sapphire’s management has responded, claiming they take such allegations seriously and that they only learned of DeMaria’s claims upon the lawsuit’s filing. “The lawsuit provides no details of what she actually claims happened a decade ago,” a representative stated.

As this case unfolds, it highlights a pressing need for accountability and reform in establishments that serve vulnerable populations. The outcomes of these lawsuits could set a crucial precedent for the treatment of dancers and the responsibilities of club owners.

Authorities and advocates are watching closely as DeMaria’s fight for justice continues, emphasizing that every voice matters in the fight against exploitation.