ROCKVILLE CENTRE (NY)
Jeff Anderson and Associates
September 26, 2024
By Pat Stoneking, Jeff Anderson & Associates
(Long Island, NY)— Under the New York Child Victims Act, hundreds of survivors in New York were given the chance to bring legal action and expose offenders and the truth through the legal system. Hundreds of previously unknown and unidentified offenders were exposed, along with the dangerous practices of the officials in charge.
The financial contours of the $320 million settlement were made public in today’s hearing. What was not mentioned and is the most important aspect of this case: Because of the courage, perseverance, and truth-telling of the survivors, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, the bishop, the parishes, and the schools are all required to have rigorous child protection protocols in place as part of this settlement.
“The credit for having saved so many kids in the future from the horrors inflicted on so many in the past goes to the courageous survivors for having fought, suffered, endured, and stood strong against darkness and deceit,” said Jeff Anderson. “While there is a measure of accountability, the beneficiaries of this are the communities and the kids born and yet to be who are safer because of the exposure of the practices by the diocese and the bishops.”
The Diocese of Rockville Centre filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy four years ago, following the swell of lawsuits filed under the New York Child Victims Act. For four years, all the claims and survivors have been in litigation and mediation, seeking accountability and transparency.
“Through their perseverance, efforts, and courage, survivors must know that they can take comfort in knowing that other children in New York are safe. Today, we credit, we praise, and we honor all the survivors with whom we have stood in bringing litigation and their truth forward. They are heroes,” said Jeff Anderson