Today, Attorney J. Michael Reck of Jeff Anderson & Associates, P.A., will announce and discuss settlements obtained on behalf of seven survivors
of childhood sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New York. The cases
involved Phase I of the Archdiocese’s Independent Reconciliation and
Compensation Program (IRCP) that began in October 2016.
News & Events
On Thursday, Attorney J. Michael Reck of Jeff Anderson & Associates, P.A., will Announce and discuss settlements obtained on behalf of seven survivors
of childhood sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New York. The cases
involved Phase I of the Archdiocese’s Independent Reconciliation and
Compensation Program (IRCP) that began in October 2016.
(Minneapolis, MN) – In December 2016, United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert J. Kressel ruled that two proposed reorganization plans would move forward to a vote in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis bankruptcy case. One plan was submitted by the Archdiocese and one plan was submitted by the Creditors’ Committee. Of the 447 people eligible to vote, 406 people participated in the voting process. The plan submitted by the Creditors’ Committee received 94% of survivors’ votes and 93% of the survivors who participated voted to reject the plan proposed by the Archdiocese.
Sexual Abuse Survivor Ron Vasek Breaks SilenceAbout Abuse by Former Diocese of Crookston Vicar General Msgr. Roger GrundhausCrookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner Sued for Coercion (St. Paul, MN) – A Minnesota man sued the Diocese of Crookston and Bishop Michael Hoeppner on Tuesday, claiming that Hoeppner coerced him into keeping silent about his alleged abuse by a Diocese of Crookston priest 46 years ago and signing a document stating the abuse never occurred.Ron Vasek and his attorney, Jeff Anderson, announced the filing of the lawsuit in St. Paul. Vasek alleges that he was abused as a minor by…
(St. Paul, MN) – At a news conference on today in St. Paul,
attorney Jeff Anderson, a child sexual abuse survivor, and a Minnesota
priest will announce the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of the survivor
naming Bishop Michael Hoeppner and the Diocese of Crookston as
defendants. This is the first time in the United States a bishop has
been individually sued for coercion.
First Bishop in the United States Sued for CoercionIn 2015, a Minnesota Bishop Suppressed Report of Child Sexual Abuse Survivor to speak publicly for the first time Tuesday about abuse by a former top official in Minnesota diocese Bishop threatened harm to survivor’s vocation and his son’s career as a priest if he did not recant his abuse report(St. Paul, MN) – At a news conference on Tuesday in St. Paul, attorney Jeff Anderson, a child sexual abuse survivor, and a Minnesota priest will announce the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of the survivor naming a current Minnesota bishop and…
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has bravely revealed that she was sexually abused for many years when she was a child, beginning when she was 8. We salute the courage it took for her to come forward.We also applaud the courage it takes for every survivor to come forward. Every survivor’s voice is important, no matter how famous or powerful. But, as April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Mayor Hodge’s revelation is a timely reminder that abuse can affect anyone in our society and it provides powerful public leadership on abuse awareness.Mayor Hodges addressed…
Male survivors of child sexual abuse delay disclosure for 20 years on average. People often ask, why wouldn’t you tell someone you are being sexually abused when you instinctually know it is wrong and it makes you feel gross, dirty, tainted, scared, uncomfortable, and disgusted? The answer? For some, it’s an overwhelming sense of fear. This sense of fear often prevents a survivor from coming forward and telling someone about the sexual abuse they are suffering or have suffered. The reality is, many survivors have tried telling someone many times. He or she may have…
A recent article in The Atlantic examined the connection between trauma and overworking. While every survivor of childhood sexual abuse is impacted differently, the effects are often long-lasting. Over the years, research has determined that survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at an increased risk for emotional, behavioral, and physical problems as adults. More recently, researchers have shown a potential connection between childhood abuse and overworking in adulthood. Some survivors have expressed using work as a coping mechanism. Being engrossed in work leaves little time to think about …
Sad and unspeakable cases of child abuse come to our attention almost every day. It’s hard to avoid news such as former Penn State president Graham Spanier’s role in covering up the Jerry Sandusky scandal, child abuse in USA Gymnastics, and the dozens of clergy abuse victims in Guam. Here in Minnesota, we’ve just learned of charges against an Eagan daycare provider for allegedly assaulting a 13-month-old, and local news has brought stories of child sex abuse by teachers, bus drivers, clergy and Boy Scout leaders, among others over the past several months.The stories seem sadly inevitable and i…
(New York, New York) – The Archdiocese of New York announced Phase II of its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The program which opened in October has now been extended to include sexual abuse survivors who have not previously reported their abuse to the Archdiocese. However, the question of a survivor’s…
Sexual abuse survivors are eligible to receive compensation for the abuse they suffered even if they have not previously reported to the Archdiocese Eligibility for the program turns on alleged perpetrator identity and proof (New York, New York) – The Archdiocese of New York announced Phase II of its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The program which opened in October has now been extended to include sexual abuse survivors who have not previously reported their abuse to the Archdiocese. However, the question of a survivor’s elig…
The Archdiocese of New York announced that it will continue to voluntarily compensate some survivors of clerical sexual abuse – EVEN SURVIVORS WHO HAVE NOT COME FORWARD PREVIOUSLY.
In October of 2016, the Archdiocese of New York instituted a confidential compensation program. The program was initially available to only sexual abuse survivors who had previously reported the abuse they suffered to the Archdiocese. Now, the program has been extended to include sexual abuse survivors who have not previously reported to the Archdiocese. In other words, survivors who have been…
(New Ulm, MN) – Today, the Diocese of New Ulm filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. The Diocese of New Ulm is the sixteenth Catholic Diocese or Religious Order to file for bankruptcy in the United States. In 2015, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis and the Diocese of Duluth filed for bankruptcy protection as well. Both cases are still pending in bankruptcy court. “The bankruptcy filing does not stop the pursuit of justice for sexual abuse survivors,” said Attorney Mike Finnegan. “Survivors will continue to seek truth and accountability in the bankruptcy process.” Sexual abus…