Abuse victims' program winding down

The Independent Mediation Assistance Program (IMAP), which was established by the Albany Diocese to provide assistance to address the needs of individuals who as minors were sexually abused by clergy, is preparing to conclude its work.

The program, launched two years ago, has provided assistance to 31 individuals for a total of $1,890,045.

The money enabled victims to take the next step in their lives, and, in many cases, to obtain medical and dental care, personal psychotherapy, family counseling, job training, debt repayment, education or other services.

Winding down

Funding for the program was provided by the Diocese, but it was designed and administered by retired Court of Appeals Judge Howard A. Levine.

Initially intended to operate for one year, IMAP was extended to ensure anyone who wished to take advantage of its services had ample opportunity to do so.

Inquiries have dropped to almost zero, but IMAP will continue to accept applications until Oct. 25 and will remain in operation until Nov. 27 to complete its work.

'Positive impact'

"This unique program has had a profound and positive impact on everyone involved in it, whether victim, mediator or administrator," said Judge Levine.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, who asked Judge Levine to develop and coordinate the independent program, said, "We are grateful to Judge Levine for his tireless efforts on behalf of victims of sexual abuse, for his creativity in designing this program and for his diligence in administering it."

Judge Levine, who spent the better part of a year researching and designing the program, consulted with victims and their attorneys, victims' organizations, and experts on trauma associated with childhood sexual abuse, including psychiatrists, psychologists and other medical professionals. He also reviewed victims' assistance programs in other dioceses.

Credit

The non-profit New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) trained and provided mediators, victim advocates, and other staff for IMAP. A former FBI agent served as IMAP's independent investigator.

Judge Levine credited the success of the program to the dedication of all of the staff who worked on it.

He particularly cited the contributions of IMAP's intake coordinator, Charlotte Carter, who for many applicants was their first contact with the program, and Lisa Hicks, executive director of NYSDRA, who coordinated the mediation services.

Assessment

"As I promised in September 2004," Judge Levine said, "IMAP has engaged an independent consultant, Praxis Consulting of Ithaca, to conduct a process evaluation of IMAP, the purpose of which is to ascertain the degree to which the program has followed the original intent with regard to process and procedure.

"Among other steps, the evaluators will interview participants (including victims, if there are victims who have previously agreed to be contacted) in order to understand how the IMAP process was experienced.

"The final report will be released to the public. As part of the evaluation, I encourage anyone participating in IMAP to contact the evaluators at Praxis" through 1-888-388-IMAP to provide their input.

Help continues

Even though IMAP is drawing to a close, Bishop Hubbard said that the Diocese will continue to provide assistance to victims of clergy sexual abuse and will continue to work with NYSDRA when an individual requests independent mediation services.

IMAP and the Diocese encouraged any individual who as a minor was sexually abused by current or former clergy to report the abuse to a law enforcement agency, or to contact IMAP or the Diocese to report the abuse and receive assistance.

Individuals who wish to seek information or assistance from IMAP are encouraged to contact the program as soon as possible before Oct. 25 at 888-388-IMAP or at [email protected].

Individuals also can seek information and assistance by contacting the Diocese. Its Victims/Survivors Assistance coordinator, Theresa F. Rodrigues, can be reached at 518-453-6646 or by email at [email protected].

(9/14/06) [[In-content Ad]]