New York told insurers to comply with the Child Victims Act. But they are doing nothing to enforce it.
By David Catalfamo
May 24, 2024
It’s been five years since the landmark Child Victims Act was signed into law, a critical measure that granted survivors of child sexual abuse a pathway to justice and closure.
However, thousands upon thousands of survivors are still awaiting justice. Meanwhile, organizations across New York — from religious institutions to school districts to child care agencies — are grappling with the costs of these lawsuits.
To address these costs, the state Legislature is considering establishing a $200 million Child Victims Act Fund to make grants available for reimbursing public school districts and foster care agencies named as defendants in child sexual abuse cases. The fund is a noble goal, but it fails to tackle the biggest issue — the insurance companies fighting to delay and deny their responsibilities for as long as they can, at the expense of survivors.
Insurance companies have collected billions of dollars in premiums from schools, nonprofits, religious institutions and childcare agencies; without their participation, there can be no just compensation for survivors. It’s time for Albany to hold big insurance accountable for their refusal to pay CVA claims. The clock is ticking, and survivors cannot afford more stopgap measures.