NEW YORK — Model Carré Otis, also known as Carré Sutton, recently announced a significant legal success in her sex abuse lawsuit against former executives of Elite Model Management. Otis shared the development on social media, stating that the United States Court of Appeals had reinstated her case, initially dismissed, under the provisions of the New York State Child Victims Act.
The appeal court’s decision underscores the potential broader jurisdiction of the New York State Child Victims Act, even in cases where the alleged abuse occurred outside of New York. Otis expressed her gratitude, emphasizing the ruling’s importance not just for her own case but as a victory for all survivors seeking justice.
The case centers around accusations from Otis who, in her lawsuit, stated that at 17, she was sent to Paris to live with Gérald Marie, a high-ranking Elite executive, following arrangements made by another executive, Trudi Tapscott. Otis alleges that Marie raped her shortly after she moved to New York City to begin her career with Elite Model Management when she was 16. Marie, who faces multiple accusations from other models as well, has not been reached for comment.
Otis further disclosed in her lawsuit that the arrangement for her to stay with Marie was approved without revealing his background as a sex offender. Instead of fostering her professional growth, Otis claims that she was sexually assaulted and trafficked across Europe to affluent individuals. Elite Model Management, which has not responded to inquiries for comments regarding the lawsuit, is also implicated in the allegation that Otis was never compensated for her modeling during that period.
Following these experiences, Otis eventually left Elite Model Management, moving to another agency where she could continue her career independently of the influences that had marred her early experiences in the fashion industry.
Otis also vocalized strong support for the proposed Fashion Worker’s Act, as she highlighted the unchecked sexual abuse within the industry and the lack of basic labor protections for models. She urged New York Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the act into law, marking it as a crucial step towards safeguarding workers and supporting survivors’ rights in the state widely recognized as a fashion hub.
Her rallying cry extends beyond her personal litigation, aiming to inspire legislative changes that could prevent future abuses similar to what she experienced. From a broader perspective, Otis’s case and advocacy illuminate the ongoing challenges within the fashion industry and the critical need for systemic change to protect its workers more effectively.
In light of the unfolding developments, Otis expressed a resolute determination to pursue justice not only for herself but for all individuals who have endured similar violations in their professional lives, underscoring a persevering fight against sexual abuse in the fashion industry.
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