Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New York have until Wednesday, November 1 to file claims in the Archdiocese’s Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Plan (IRCP). There should never be a deadline for survivors to share their truth and seek justice. Unfortunately, New York’s harsh statute of limitations does not allow for perpetrators and the institutions that sheltered them to be exposed in a court of law. Although it is imperfect, the IRCP is the only way survivors of child sexual abuse can seek justice in New York at this time.
Jeff Anderson & Associates has helped dozens of courageous survivors submit claims in the IRCP and has obtained over $3 million in settlements to date. Unfortunately, the nature of the IRCP renders disclosure a one-way street: survivors summon the strength to share painful memories of their abuse, but the Archdiocese refuses to disclose the names of perpetrators and confidential records regarding these perpetrators. Without the disclosure of this critical information, many survivors will continue to suffer in shame and silence, wondering if they are only ones who have been abused. In order to encourage survivors to seek justice, Jeff Anderson & Associates has disclosed the names of several perpetrators whose names would not have been disclosed otherwise.
Despite the flaws in the IRCP, Jeff Anderson & Associates implores survivors to come forward and evaluate their rights before the November 1 deadline. By sharing their truth through the IRCP, survivors can hold the Archdiocese accountable and help ensure that children are protected from abuse in the future.