The news sometimes reports stories of individuals who charge that clergy members sexually abused them as children.
These claims often do not come to light until years after the alleged abuse occurred.
Roman Catholic diocese has filed for bankruptcy
According to USA Today, sexual abuse lawsuits have prompted a Roman Catholic diocese in the New York City area to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The diocese joins over 20 other dioceses across the country that have filed bankruptcy to manage the financial impact of sexual abuse claims.
Child sexual abuse survivors have filed over 200 lawsuits against Long Island’s Diocese of Rockville Centre since a 2019 state law extended the time for victims to seek recourse against their abusers. These claimants chose litigation instead of seeking compensation under a fund established by the diocese in 2017. This compensation program has resulted in the payment of over $62 million to roughly 350 abuse survivors.
Sexual abuse victims have extended time to file claims
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office explains that the state’s 2019 Child Victims Act extends the time for survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims against their victimizers.
Victims now have until they are 55 years old to file a civil lawsuit against an alleged abuser. The right to file a civil suit includes the right to pursue action against public or private institutions. Victims now have until August 14, 2021 to file claims previously barred by a lapse of time. Thousands of survivors have used this law to pursue claims against their alleged abusers.
This law also extends the period of time for holding abusers accountable on criminal charges.
