Statement By Senator Hoylman, Prime Sponsor of 'Child Victims Act,' On NY Archdiocese's Child Sexual Abuse Compensation Fund

In response to news that the Archdiocese of New York will create a child sexual abuse compensation fund, State Senator Brad Hoylman, prime sponsor of the Child Victims Act (S.7296), said:

“I'm glad the Archdiocese of New York is taking responsibility for the untold number of crimes against New York City children committed by its clergy by setting up its own sexual abuse compensation fund.

“While the fund will potentially provide financial redress for some survivors, it should also be acknowledged that this is a canny legal strategy devised to reduce the Archdiocese's liability for decades of crimes and cover-ups.

“With today's announcement, I hope the Archdiocese will join our efforts in Albany to reform New York's abysmal statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, which are among the most restrictive in the nation, and create a time period to allow past survivors to bring their cases before an impartial court."

Background

Earlier today, the Archdiocese of New York announced the creation of an “Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program” (IRCP) for individuals who were sexually abused as minors by clergy members working for the Archdiocese. The program is initially limited to survivors who have previously notified the Archdiocese that they had been abused. Survivors who receive compensation through the program are required to executive a full release of liability and waive their right to go to court to sue any party relating to the alleged sexual abuse. Under its terms, participants in the IRCP are required to agree to privacy and confidentiality requirements.