ROCKVILLE CENTRE (NY)
LI Herald
August 9, 2018
By Ben Strack
Reported settlements to victims range from $25,000 to $500,000
Months after the deadline to submit clergy sexual abuse cases, administrators of the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Independent Reconciliation and Compensation program continue sifting through a range of cases.
The diocese launched its compensation program last October. Phase One, open to those who had previously reported abuse, closed on March 31. Phase Two of the program, for those with new allegations, closed on April 30. To receive compensation, victims had to agree that they would not pursue legal action against the church in the future.
In all, 292 claims were filed, according to Camille Biros, an administrator for the program. Nearly half came during Phase Two. A total of 161 victims have been paid, Biros said, adding that she and fellow administrator Kenneth Feinberg continue evaluating claims.
Feinberg previously oversaw the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, as well as compensation programs for the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Boston Marathon bombing, the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and sexual abuse claims brought against Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at Penn State University.
He and Biros decide the settlement amounts based on a number of factors, including the age of the victim at the time of the abuse, and the frequency and nature of the abuse. Some, Biros said, include information about the impact the abuse has had on their lives, such as the therapy and psychiatric care they have sought.
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