Victim: Diocese ‘short-changing’ victims in abuse settlements

<p>The Diocese of Rockville Centre offered settlements to hundreds of victims of clergy abuse, but some say the settlement doesn't cover all victims.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 14, 2018, 11:48 PM

Updated 2,057 days ago

Share:

The Diocese of Rockville Centre offered settlements to hundreds of victims of clergy abuse, but some say the settlement doesn't cover all victims.
Harold Siering says he was sexually abused in the 1970s at a Catholic school on Long Island by a Franciscan brother. He says the abuse started when he was about 10 years old, and lasted into his teens.
"I kept it hidden, because the abusers, they tell you, 'If you tell anybody, no one is going to believe you,’" Siering told News 12.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre started a compensation program for victims who were sexually abused at the hands of priests. The diocese has received almost 300 claims since the program opened up last year – awarding victims sums of $25,000 to $500,000.
But the program doesn't compensate victims like Siering who were abused by church officials who weren't priests.
Siering believes the church is trying to save money by compensating victims before the attorney general completes its investigation of all eight Catholic dioceses in New York state for allegations of sexual abuse.
"They're short-changing the victims,” says Siering. “And if they were really honest, they would open it up to everybody, because it's under your watch, under your schools. You have to accept responsibility. You're liable."
Even though the diocese is settling with victims, it’s still refusing to identify priests accused of sexual abuse.


More from News 12
3:04
Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

2:13
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:27
Stony Brook students weigh in on campus protest

Stony Brook students weigh in on campus protest

0:38
Students take part in 'Shark Tank' style competition at Wyandanch Memorial HS

Students take part in 'Shark Tank' style competition at Wyandanch Memorial HS

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments