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According to a researcher hired by the Boy Scouts of America to review internal records, more than 12,000 children were sexually assaulted while participating in its programs.
Tony Gutierrez / AP
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Tony Gutierrez / AP
According to a researcher hired by the Boy Scouts of America to review internal records, more than 12,000 children were sexually assaulted while participating in its programs.
Tony Gutierrez / AP
Boy Scouts of America's records show that more than 12,000 children were sexually assaulted while participating in the organization's programs. The documents were uncovered through the testimony of a researcher that the scouts hired to conduct an internal review. The records reveal allegations against thousands of Scout leaders – allegations dating back to the 1940s.
With so many victims, the organization could face numerous lawsuits and, consequently, bankruptcy.
The research also revealed a lot more abuse than expected. The names of Scout leaders deemed ineligible because of "reasonable allegations of sexual abuse of children" were entered in Boy Scouts of America records and these leaders were subsequently excluded from working with children.
This secret dossier of sexually abusive scout leaders dates back almost 100 years. But it is only during the past decade that the extent of abuse has begun to emerge.
This week, plaintiff's lawyer, Jeff Anderson, released the sworn testimony of Janet Warren, a professor at the University of Virginia, hired by the Boy Scouts to conduct a study on the students' files. organization on sexual abuse. The report revealed that 12,254 children were reportedly ill-treated by 7,819 Scout leaders.
At a press conference Thursday, Anderson said the list might not be complete. "The bad news is that the disclosure of what Scouts really knew is far from total," said Anderson, "because not all the files were searched."
Anderson said that he thought the information needed to be known, so he sounded the alarm now.
However, he said that the identity of the alleged perpetrators remains hidden in the records of the organization.
"The fact is that American Scouts have never published these names in a form that can be known to the public," he said. "They may have removed them from Scouting, perhaps they have kept them in their pervert file." – but they never alerted the community. "
Bankruptcy possible
About 2.4 million children participate in scouts, and the possibility that hundreds or even thousands of victims, sue for allegation of abuse and financial compensation claim is profound. A leading sex abuse lawyer has already signed with more than 180 clients.
Scouts have vast properties throughout the United States where members walk, camp and play. The prospect that Scouts may declare bankruptcy has victims and their lawyers screaming for scandal, arguing that this would eventually escape victims of sexual abuse.
A bankruptcy filing could allow the 109-year-old organization to continue operating by protecting its assets and information.
At a press conference, Boy Scouts of America General Manager Michael Surbaugh apologized.
"I want to reiterate our unwavering support for the victims of abuse," he said. "We are outraged by the fact that there have been times when people have taken advantage of our programs to mistreat innocent children."
Surbaugh went on to say that the Boy Scouts of America are deeply concerned about all child abuse victims and sincerely apologize to those who have been injured during their stay in the Boy Scouts.
"We believe the victims," he said, "and we pay unlimited consultations to a provider of their choice, and we encourage them to make themselves known."
Last year, Scouts filed lawsuits against half a dozen of its insurers for refusing to cover their legal obligations for sexual abuse. Insurers responded that Scouts coverage was invalidated because Scouts had neglected to take meaningful precautionary measures. These cases are ongoing.
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