Independent mediation reaches agreements with five

An independent program to compensate clergy sexual abuse victims has announced five settlements, leading Albany diocesan spokesperson Kenneth Goldfarb to say that the Diocese is "very pleased with the way the process has worked. We believe it has been carried out to the satisfaction of all parties involved."

Since the Independent Mediation Assistance Program (IMAP) was announced in September, 35 victims have made claims; five recently had their mediations completed.

IMAP was developed at the request of Bishop Howard J. Hubbard; it is administered by retired New York State Appeals Court Judge Howard A. Levine. IMAP provides funds to victims for rehabilitative assistance, job training, education and other needs. The program is funded by $5.2 million from the Diocese's insurance program. Money from the annual Bishop's Appeal is not used.

Independent

The creation of the independent program is part of the Diocese's multi-faceted response to the abuse crisis and to the U.S. bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," adopted in 2002.

Other programs include background checks on and training in abuse prevention for all diocesan employees and volunteers who work with children. To date, thousands of Catholics have undergone the training.

In addition, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard has offered to meet with any victim who asks to speak with him.

How IMAP works

Headquartered at the offices of the New York State Dispute Resolution Association in Troy, IMAP uses intake coordinators to receive complaints about abuse by clergy. An independent investigator looks into each claim; credible ones are forwarded to the Diocesan Review Board for its action.

Mediation between victims and the Diocese is done with the help of independent mediators and victims' advocates who negotiate settlements.

After a "first rush" of calls when the program began in September, Judge Levine told The Evangelist, IMAP received a steady number of contacts from people interested in having their abuse claims processed through the program.

Mediation

Victims can choose one of ten independent mediators to negotiate on their behalf. There are also two diocesan mediators; Judge Levine said their role is to listen to a victim's requests for financial help, pastoral services, apologies from diocesan officials, information on what happened to the perpetrator of the abuse and other matters.

The diocesan mediator then responds with what would be acceptable to the Diocese, and an agreement is negotiated.

"We are grateful to Judge Levine and everyone else connected with IMAP," Mr. Goldfarb stated. "They have done an excellent job in creating and administering an effective and independent program designed to provide pastoral, spiritual and emotional care to those who were sexually abused as minors by clergy of the Diocese of Albany."

Mr. Goldfarb noted that IMAP is not the only option available to victims; those who do not wish to participate in IMAP can negotiate with the Diocese directly.

(Read more by searching for "IMAP" at www.evangelist.org. Contact IMAP at 1-888-388-IMAP, or go to www.independentmediation.org.)

(2/3/05)