More Than 500 Sex Abuse Claims Filed against Diocese of Rochester

By Ginny Ryan
WHAM
August 19, 2020

https://13wham.com/news/local/more-than-500-sex-abuse-claims-filed-against-diocese-of-rochester

When Carol Dupre first shared her story of sex abuse in the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, she stood with her lawyer on the steps of Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Three years later, Dupre now stands with 503 others - just like her.

"I was glad to know so many people responded, but I was disappointed that it was such a large number for what I was told was a small diocese. I thought it was a sad commentary for the Catholic Church," she said Wednesday it .

The deadline has passed for child sex abuse survivors to file civil lawsuits against the Diocese of Rochester, and 503 people have filed claims against the diocese under New York's Child Victims Act amid the institution's bankruptcy filing.

Dupre serves on the bankruptcy panel representing sex abuse victims in the case. She says she significantly underestimated the number that would file claims.

Her attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, says it's because of victims like her who came forward. Garabedian, who is representing 95 survivors of child sex abuse in the greater Rochester region, previously estimated there would be 250-300 claims filed.

Survivors who filed their claims are feeling more empowered than ever, according to Garabedian.

"There is a tremendous momentum and it's gaining speed," Garabedian said. "We haven't peaked by any means. It's diocese after diocese and the Diocese of Rochester is setting an example for the rest of the world to observe, to understand how victims can come forward."

The 503 survivors are in addition to more than 30 people who already settled claims with the diocese last year through a mediator - and $1.6 million paid out to other survivors from the Diocese of Rochester before those settlements.

The next step in the bankruptcy case is considering the assets of the diocese to settle those 503 claims with compensation for the survivors.

The large number of survivors means there are more people from which to divide the settlement fund from diocese assets. Dupre said she considered that, but isn't focused on it.

"It’s about what happened. That’s the main thing, and the main thing doesn’t have to do with money. It has to do with justice being served and that has to be an acknowledgement."

When Dupre stood on the steps of the cathedral three years ago, she told 13WHAM she simply wanted an apology.

She still does.

Some things don't have a price.