A New York lawyer is petitioning against the Catholic Church and is asking for the public’s help.
Jeff Herman represents sex abuse victims. He says the diocese has a secret list of priests who have molested children.
“The information that is missing are the secret files that the Catholic Church of New York has maintained for decades and has refused to provide for the public,” Herman said.
The New York Child Victim’s Act allows childhood sex victims to come forward and file a claim without a statute of limitation. Starting on Aug. 14, 2019 until Aug. 14, 2020, victims can file a claim no matter when the alleged abuse happened.
Herman believes the diocese is holding out on the list and will eventually release it, once it is too late to file a claim. He says that victims often feel shame in these cases and that these papers are crucial proof for these victims to come forward.
“Until you hear that there are other survivors, until you see the name of your abuser in the list or in the newspaper, you’re going to stay in that shame or that cocoon,” Herman said.
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