In a landmark decision, a Manhattan jury found former President Donald J. Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine writer, and awarded her $5 million in damages. This is the only allegation of sexual misconduct against Mr. Trump that has been affirmed by a jury, although more than a dozen women have come forward with similar claims.

The federal jury of six men and three women ruled that Ms. Carroll had provided sufficient evidence that Mr. Trump had sexually abused her nearly 30 years ago in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan. The jury, however, did not find that he had raped her, as she had alleged.

In addition, the jury found that Mr. Trump had defamed Ms. Carroll in October of last year when he called her case “a complete con job” and “a Hoax and a lie” on his Truth Social platform. He plans to appeal the verdict.

During the trial, which Mr. Trump did not attend, his lawyers called no witnesses. Ms. Carroll, who sued Mr. Trump last year, delivered emotional testimony about the attack that she said had devastated her romantic life forever.

Following the verdict, Ms. Carroll nodded in agreement as a court clerk read the decision, growing more animated when the clerk announced that Mr. Trump was liable for defamation. She left the courthouse holding hands with her lawyer, Roberta A. Kaplan, and smiling ear to ear. A woman on the street called out to her, “You’re so brave and beautiful.” Ms. Carroll replied, “Thank you, thank you so much.”

In a statement, Ms. Carroll said, “I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back. Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.”

Mr. Trump, who is currently running for president again, continues to deny any knowledge of Ms. Carroll, stating in a Truth Social post after the verdict that he has “absolutely no idea who this woman is.”