Cecilia Springer, 87, is a survivor of child abuse suffered as a teenager at the hands of a nun many years ago. Springer rallied with other advocates and survivors , all fighting for a legislation that would allow them to seek justice against their abusers, into adulthood.
Springer stated that she was abused by her principal at St. Ursula, ran by the Notre Dame School of Manhattan. St. Ursula was a girls-only secondary school, and it should be noted that her principal was a nun. The principal was transferred out at the end of the year; the same year the abuse occurred. Springer never told anybody she was being abused, but discovered that she was not the only one the principal attempted to harm.
Dennis Poust, a spokesperson for the Catholic Conference spoke on behalf of Springer’s statements and urged Springer to report her case if she has not done so already. The Catholic Church supports extending the statute of limitations going forward but does not support the opportunity for victims to revive old cases.
Child abuse survivors, including Cecilia, along with advocates for the Child Victim Act, protested last Thursday in front of Zurich Insurance Group in lower Manhattan due to Zurich’s attempts at lobbying against the bill so that it would not get passed in budget. If the act was passed, adults who were abused as children would be granted access to seek justice against those persons or institutions who abuse them.
Cecilia will continue to fight for this bill to be passed in the future. Abusers will continue to abuse, so long as they are not found out or charged. Unfortunately for Springer, she was never able to confront her abuser or hold her responsible and have her day in court. Yet it is not too late for those victims who can still seek justice.
If you have been sexually abused, please call our child abuse attorneys at Alonso Krangle LLP at 800-403-6191 or through our website at www.fightforvictims.com. Our attorneys are sensitive to your story and will help you seek justice against any person or institution that has failed to protect you. Please do not hesitate, call us today to review your legal rights.