Charles Esther
A victims’ advocacy group is urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to compel insurance companies to pay millions of dollars in child abuse claims.
The Coalition for Just and Compassionate Compensation, founded in 2023, is leading an ad campaign in upstate New York markets targeting insurance companies that refuse to cover abuse claims under the state’s Child Victims Act.
Advocacy Group Accuses Governor of Supporting Insurers Over Victims
The coalition criticizes Governor Hochul, accusing her of siding with “big insurance buddies” instead of survivors.
One ad bluntly states, “Who turns their back on over 14,000 survivors of child sex abuse? Gov. Kathy Hochul.”
The ad also highlights news headlines about abuse scandals, including a notable $150 million settlement earlier this year by the Diocese of Buffalo with victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Calls for Enforcement of the Child Victims Act
The advertisement urges the public to contact Governor Hochul’s office and demand that she enforce the law to ensure insurance companies pay their fair share, rather than placing the financial burden on survivors.
New York’s Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, extended the statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits related to child sex abuse.
Under this law, victims can bring claims until they reach the age of 55, holding both abusers and institutions accountable.
Wider Legal Battles Over Insurance Payments for Abuse Claims
This push for insurers to pay is not unique to New York.
In 2024, New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan announced that the Archdiocese was suing its longtime insurer for allegedly trying to avoid paying claims to sex abuse victims.
Similarly, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, have filed lawsuits against their insurance providers for failing to pay sexual abuse claims under their respective state laws.
Lack of Response from Governor’s Office and Advocacy Group
At the time of reporting, neither the Coalition for Just and Compassionate Compensation nor Governor Hochul’s office responded to requests for comment about the ad campaign and its demands.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between survivors seeking justice and insurance companies resisting payouts related to child abuse claims.
