Once seen as a half-measure for victims of child sexual abuse, a proposal by former state Sen. Catharine Young is being advocated for by the Fighting for Children PAC.

Young made her proposal for the Child Victims Reconciliation and Compensation Fund in 2018 in the midst of a legislative fight over the Child Victims Act. Young proposed using $300 million of criminal asset forfeiture money held by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to pay compensation to victims of child sexual abuse. Rather than court cases, Young called for a hearing and review process administered and overseen by the state Comptroller’s Office and a chief administrator. Hearing officers experienced in sexual abuse cases would hear the cases with a claims administrator making award determinations. Abusers identities and crimes would become public knowledge as part of the process. Young also heralded the hearing process as a faster way for victims to get closure compared to the years it can take a case to make its way through a civil court process.

The legislation also would have eliminated the statute of limitations for the criminal prosecution of sex offenses against children.

“By creating a state compensation fund for victims, monetary reparation for the horrific crimes victims endured will be available to them, regardless of the amount of time that has passed or their abusers’ financial status,” Young said at the time.

“More efficient and expedited than a civil action, deserving victims who have been denied justice in other venues will find redress through this process.”

Young’s legislation was set aside, as was the Child Victims Act, during the 2018 legislative session. The Child Victims Act was then passed earlier this year after Democrats claimed control of the state Senate.

Gary Greenberg, founder of the Fighting for Children PAC, wrote in a letter posted on the PAC’s Facebook page recently that an analysis of cases filed under the Child Victims Act found that 98.8 percent of the lawsuits filed are institutional cases in which the defendant is either an organization, corporation or other legal entity. A little more than 1% of cases have been filed against a private citizen.

“Hundreds, if not thousands of victims are being turned away by attorneys because their cases involve perpetrators who are not fiscally worthwhile to prosecute,” Greenberg said. “This is not justice for all. … The legislature and governor must correct this. My recommendation is to create a victims fund with public and private funds for those who, under the current law, are not able to go to court.”

Greenburg initially supported Young’s efforts for the Child Victims Reconciliation and Compensation Fund, but Republican leadership blocked Young’s bill from reaching the floor for a vote. Young’s bill was also opposed by Democrats and many advocates. When that happened Greenberg turned his attention toward endorsing Democrats for the state Senate in an effort to get the Child Victims Act passed.