In a groundbreaking development, former Penthouse magazine model Sheila Kennedy has filed a lawsuit against Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in a New York City hotel back in 1989. Kennedy, who is now 61 years old, filed the lawsuit in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan under New York's Adult Survivors Act, a temporary law that allows adult victims to sue over attacks that occurred even decades ago. The law is set to expire after Thanksgiving on Thursday and has already seen over 2,500 actions filed.

According to Kennedy's lawsuit, she met Rose in February 1989 at a Manhattan nightclub. Afterward, Rose invited her to join a party in his hotel suite. However, the evening took a horrifying turn when Kennedy witnessed Rose engaging in sexual activity with another model. Angered by the woman, Rose ordered her to leave the suite. It was at this point that Rose allegedly turned his attention towards Kennedy, violently dragging her across the floor by her hair and tying her hands together with pantyhose. He then proceeded to sexually assault her from behind.

Kennedy's lawsuit claims that Rose made no effort to establish her consent and treated her as a mere object for his sexual pleasure. The attack left her with severe emotional distress, mental anguish, anxiety, and depression, which have had a profound impact on her life. Kennedy has been diagnosed with symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hearing Rose's name or his music triggers traumatic responses. As a result, she has avoided nightclubs and social situations where she might encounter Rose or his music, leading to financial harm and hindering her career as a model.

Kennedy's allegations against Rose are not new. She has previously spoken about the assault in her 2016 memoir, "No One's Pet," and in the 2021 documentary, "Look Away," which shed light on sexual abuse in the music industry. Kennedy's decision to come forward publicly with her allegations demonstrates her bravery and determination to seek justice for the harm she has suffered.

In response to the lawsuit, attorney Alan S Gutman issued a statement on behalf of Axl Rose, categorically denying the allegations. Gutman pointed out that the incident described by Kennedy never happened and emphasized that these fictional claims were conveniently filed right before the state's filing deadline. Rose claims to have no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to Kennedy and asserts that he had never heard of these allegations prior to the lawsuit. Rose remains confident that the case will ultimately be resolved in his favor.

Kennedy's lawsuit is just the latest in a series of lawsuits filed under New York's expiring Adult Survivors Act. Numerous individuals, employers, and institutions, including hospitals, have been targeted by over 2,500 lawsuits filed under the act. However, the majority of these cases have been filed against the state, New York City, and local counties, primarily involving allegations of abuse at state prisons and local jails.

The filing of Kennedy's lawsuit coincides with several other high-profile cases under the Adult Survivors Act. On Tuesday, a woman accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually abusing her, adding to the more than 60 women who have accused him of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Cosby has denied all allegations involving sex crimes. Additionally, American writer and filmmaker AM Lukas accused White Lines actor Nuno Lopes of drugging and raping her in 2006, while photographer Terry Richardson faced a new lawsuit from Spanish model Minerva Portillo, alleging rape and sexual assault. Furthermore, actor Jamie Foxx was sued on Wednesday by a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a New York rooftop lounge in 2015. Music industry veteran Jimmy Iovine and Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. were also among those sued under the Adult Survivors Act.

These lawsuits highlight the importance of statutes like the Adult Survivors Act in providing victims with an avenue to seek justice for long-ago incidents of sexual assault. However, skeptics have argued that there is potential for abuse of look-back windows, particularly when it comes to targeting wealthy celebrities. The spokesperson for Bill Cosby, for instance, questioned when the pursuit of such cases would cease.

As the Adult Survivors Act approaches its expiration and more survivors come forward to seek justice, the legal landscape continues to evolve. It remains to be seen how these lawsuits will be resolved and what impact they will have on shaping conversations surrounding sexual assault, accountability, and the protection of survivors' rights.