Report compiles sex abuse allegations against 51 individuals associated with Rockville Centre diocese
A group of lawyers released a report Feb. 5 compiling allegations of sexual abuse of children made against 51 individuals associated with The Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Lawyers Helping Survivors of Child Sex Abuse, a national team of attorneys dedicated to representing victims of sexual abuse, compiled and released the list in an effort to raise awareness about alleged clergy sex abuse on Long Island by providing the public with a list of accused abusers and which church they work or worked at, according to a press release from the group. The list includes allegations against several employees of North Shore churches and schools. TBR News Media will not link to the report or mention specific allegations against individuals, churches or schools until they can be independently verified. The newspaper is also aware of the presumption that people are innocent until proven guilty.
According to the report, called Hidden Disgrace II, most of the allegations have not been heard in a court because they were reported after the expiration of statutes of limitations. The report says the allegations should not be considered substantiated claims, but rather public accusations, unless otherwise indicated in the report.
In 2003, a Suffolk County grand jury investigated the issue of clergy sex abuse in the Rockville Centre diocese and released a more than 180-page report detailing allegations against 23 unnamed priests and actions by diocese officials to conceal abuse. In a section of the Feb. 5 report entitled “methodology,” it says many of the 51 named individuals in Hidden Disgrace II were described, but not officially named in the 2003 grand jury report. Some of the 51 named individuals were subsequently identified by survivors and the media following the grand jury report. Others in Hidden Disgrace II were named by individuals who came forward to share their story with the law group or media outlets.
“The public needs more information about these alleged predators and the churches, schools and communities where they worked,” said attorney Jerry Kristal, of Weitz & Luxenberg, one of three law firms associated with the group. Noaker Law Firm LLC and James, Vernon & Weeks P.A. are the others. “The Rockville Centre Diocese’s silence on the issue has only served the accused abusers and left survivors and local communities in the dark.”
An email requesting comment from The Diocese of Rockville Centre’s communications team was not immediately returned.
This story will be updated as more information is available.
