September 5, 2019 at 1:52 p.m.
The Child Victims Act What You Need to Know
The Child Victims Act (CVA), which went into effect in New York State on Wednesday, Aug. 14, lifts the statute of limitations that precluded victims of child sexual abuse from bringing allegations before the courts. This “window,” as it is known, will be open for one year.
In addition, this legislation:
Increases the amount of time during which perpetrators of sexual abuse crimes may be held criminally accountable; Allows victims of these crimes to commence a civil lawsuit at any time before they reach 55 years of age; Eliminates the need to file a notice of claim for sexual offenses committed against a minor.
Going Forward,
A message from the Diocese
Our first concern, as always, is for survivors, who have borne their scars for many decades, often in silence. We stand ready to accompany them on their journey toward healing, to support them and to assist them in any way we can.
While financial challenges resulting from expected lawsuits against the Diocese of Albany will test our ability to carry out our ministries, we remain committed to continuing to fulfill our mission to evangelize, educate, strengthen our faith communities, develop vocational and mission awareness, and to care for the poorest and most vulnerable among us. While the overwhelming majority of abuse cases occurred between the 1960s to the early 1980s, Bishop Scharfenberger has pledged to be ever vigilant in protecting young people today, and in working toward healing for those who have suffered. His newly established Task Force is charged with assisting him in their ministry.
Protecting Children
For nearly 20 years, the Diocese has been adhering to the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes a zero-tolerance policy. This means that any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer who is found to have abused a single child or vulnerable adult may never again serve in any ministry in the Catholic Church. As a result, today, there is not a single person in ministry in our Diocese who has been credibly accused of abusing a child.
Since 2002, the Diocese of Albany has conducted 37,674 background checks on staff and volunteers and 36,232 individuals have completed Virtus (safe environment training) at least once.
Bishop Scharfenberger has apologized to all survivors of clergy abuse in our Diocese and, in November 2015, posted the names of all clergy offenders on the diocesan web site, www.rcda.org/offenders.
RESOURCES
How to Report Abuse
https://www.rcda.org/offices/protecting-children-young-people/how-report-sexual-abuse
Protecting Children Policies and Guidelines
Bishop’s Task Force
Established in April 2019, the sex-abuse Task Force established by Bishop Scharfenberger in April held its second meeting June 25 at Siena College, establishing four committees to address the most immediate and pressing concerns related to abuse and survivors.
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