Trigger Warning: The following content may be upsetting for individuals or loved ones of those who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. If you experience physical or emotional distress while reading this content, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (888) 656-4673 for support.
More often than not, children who are victims of sexual abuse find that the perpetrator is someone they know and trust. Thousands of former boy scout members have revealed harrowing tales of child abuse at the hands of scout leaders and volunteers within the organization.
The attorneys at FlorinIRoebig suspect that many survivors have yet to come forward, and we want to encourage victims to bring their claims to light. Our dedicated team understands the delicate nature of your case and the complex emotional challenges you are facing. Although you may think that talking about the sexual abuse you endured will be re-traumatizing, the majority of victims find that the first step to healing is breaking years of silence.
If you or a loved one has suffered physical or sexual abuse as a member of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), we can help you pursue legal action to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
How Boy Scouts Handled Allegations Of Sex Abuse
For decades, the Boy Scouts of America, headquartered in Texas, failed to report thousands of suspected child molesters to law enforcement and often hid allegations from parents and the public. While the BSA insists that they protected young boys from pedophiles by barring child abusers from re-entering their organization, the evidence released in the landmark 2010 Oregon lawsuit proved otherwise.
BSA executives compiled documents from the mid 1960s through the 1980s that came to be known to the public as the “perversion files,” but the leaders of the organization commonly referred to them as “ineligible volunteer files.” The list contained the names of 7,819 adult leaders who were accused of sexually abusing or molesting 12,254 young boys.
Unfortunately, the BSA’s “efforts” to prevent known pedophiles from rejoining were grossly insufficient. Predators were able to infiltrate the institution through name changes, clerical errors, and employee negligence on screening and background checks. In other cases, officials egregiously and deliberately approved previously banned pedophiles to return to the Boy Scouts.
According to these records and many others, it is reasonable to assume that the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America knowingly exposed innocent children to sexual predators and actively helped cover-up a century long epidemic of Scouting abuse.
Child Victims Act And The Statute of Limitations
Sadly, institutional responses to child sex abuse scandal have shown an all too familiar pattern in recent years. Several large organizations made news headlines, in the face of serious accusations of child sexual abuse and allegations of systematic practices to cover up misconduct. Scandals emerged in organizations including the Catholic Church, USA gymnastics, and Penn State, just to name a few.
Reacting to the public outrage, many states revised their laws to extend or completely suspend the statute of limitations to allow more time for victims of child sex abuse to sue their perpetrators. New York passed the Child Victims Act, allowing victims to file civil suits against their abuser or liable third party until the survivor reaches the age of 55. Groups like the BSA previously relied on the statute of limitations to protect them from the financial impacts of widespread lawsuits. The new legislation resulted in a flood of sexual abuse claims and litigation.
The Boy Scouts Of America Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The “perversion files” that came to light during the 2010 Oregon lawsuit helped a jury award a record $18.5 million to a former BSA member who was molested by an assistant scoutmaster in the 1980s. For decades, the Boy Scouts faithfully relied on its insurance carriers to pay out sexual abuse claims. After the secret files became public knowledge, the insurers refused coverage, arguing that the abuse could have been prevented.
Between 2017 and 2019 alone, the Scouts paid $150 million in settlements and legal expenses.
Faced with potentially thousands of new sexual abuse lawsuits and mounting financial liability, the BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February and announced that it will use the process to fund a legal trust to provide compensation to victims. The organization pointed out: “Local councils, which provided programming, financial, facility, and administrative support to Scouting units in their communities, have not filed for bankruptcy. They are legally separate, distinct, and financially independent from the national organization.”
The recent bankruptcy filing affects sexual abuse cases in the following ways:
- The Chapter 11 process allows the BSA to consolidate all of the lawsuits, meaning that your case will not be handled on an individual basis. The organization will deal with their liability through one bankruptcy proceeding.
- As part of the bankruptcy filing, the Boy Scouts of America has created a fund called the “Victims Compensation Trust” that will provide “equitable compensation” to former scouts who file a sexual abuse claim.
- The filing allows the national organization to restructure their debts and obligations, while still running operations. Many victims, advocates, and supporters are enraged that the BSA will remain open despite the reprehensible claims against them.
- The bankruptcy proceeding will prevent further liability in the form of settlements for sexual abuse past the November 16, 2020 deadline.
Urgent Deadline To File Sexual Abuse Claims
The Boy Scouts of America received permission from a Delaware Bankruptcy Court to set a deadline for scouting abuse victims to file claims. Sexual abuse survivors who are considering filing a lawsuit against the BSA should be aware of the fast-approaching November 16, 2020 deadline.
If you or a family member were among the thousands of children abused by a scoutmaster, scout leader, or volunteer of the BSA, it is imperative that you hire a Boy Scout sexual abuse lawyer today to get a share of the settlement funds. Contact FlorinIRoebig today to request a 100% free and confidential case evaluation to determine if you are entitled to financial compensation.
Types Of Scouting Sexual Abuse
For purposes of submitting a proof of claim form, the Boy Scouts of America has compiled a list of what is considered child sex abuse:
- Molestation, sexual touching, sexualized interactions, or sexual comments
- Observing or making images of a child’s body
- Exposing a child to pornographic material
- Having children behave in a sexual nature in a group
- Oral, anal, or genital penetration
- Fondling a child’s body
If you, your son, or loved one experienced any of the traumatic occurrences on the list above or have questions pertaining to potential abuses, contact the experienced sexual abuse attorneys at FlorinIRoebig today for a free case review.
The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse
Approximately one in ten children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday. A staggering 60% of child victims never tell anyone about the indecent act committed against them. The effects of childhood sexual abuse may be felt by the victim immediately and can potentially last a lifetime.
Short Term Effects
Short term effects include, but are not limited to the following:
- Difficulties sleeping and presence of nightmares
- Feelings of shock and grief
- Distrust and fear of others, especially adults
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Outbursts of aggression and anger
- Difficulty processing emotions
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Poor school performance
- Reduced cognitive function
- Sexual knowledge or behavior that is not age appropriate
Long Term Effects
Long term consequences vary and may include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Alcohol and substance abuse issues
- Depression, anxiety, and personality disorders
- Attempted or completed suicide
- High risk sexual behaviors
- Disinterest in healthy sexual relationships or fear of intimacy
- Occupational disability leading to loss of income or homelessness
The after-effects of childhood sex abuse vary from one victim to the next. Some children display symptoms immediately following the abuse and others may manifest symptoms much later on in life or even well into adulthood.
Why File A Sexual Abuse Claim?
Reporting sexual abuse is a personal decision and it is never an easy one to make. Many former scouts have recently decided to file sexual abuse claims for a diversity of reasons including the following:
- Time is of the essence: If you do not file a claim by the deadline, you will be forever barred from seeking compensation.
- Hold the perpetrator accountable: In your case, you may have the opportunity to hold your abuser and the organization who protected him accountable for their unforgivable actions.
- Prevent future abuse: By filing a claim, you will join thousands of victims in their pursuit to bring the atrocities committed by the Scout leaders to light. Your main motivation for coming forward may be to ensure that the BSA implements strong policies that will protect future Scouts.
- Receive compensation: You have likely endured physical, mental, and financial hardships as a result of the abuse that was inflicted upon you. As a victim, you have the right to seek monetary compensation for your pain and suffering.
- Start your road to recovery: After confronting the abuse and realizing that you are not alone in your struggle, you will likely find that a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. For many survivors of childhood sex abuse, justice can provide a form of closure necessary to move on with their lives.
Regardless of your rationale, it is important to know that you don’t need to be ashamed or embarrassed to speak up. The only people that deserve to feel humiliation, shame, and guilt are the perpetrators and the organization that put their image and financial interests in front of your wellbeing. Our law firm is committed to protecting your privacy and will do everything in our power to make sure you remain anonymous to the public.
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How To File A Claim Against The Boy Scouts of America
To pursue a claim against the Boy Scout organization, you or your lawyer will be required to fill out a lengthy document known as a proof of claim form. As stated previously, the form must be submitted to the Bankruptcy Court no later than November 16th at 5:00 pm.
You will be asked to relay the following information to the best of your knowledge:
- Identity of the boy scout leader or volunteer who abused you
- Your preference for confidentiality
- Details regarding when and where the abuse occurred
- Description of the nature and extent of the sexual abuse
- Explanation of how your life was impacted by your experience, including the direct and indirect adverse effects of the abuse
- Background information, such as your education level and employment history
- Your membership history with the BSA
Even if you cannot remember many of the details surrounding your case, you may still be eligible to file a claim. An attorney can guide you through the process of filling out the form and help you obtain any information that is not readily available. Completing the form accurately and providing supporting documentation is vital to build a strong case and get a favorable outcome.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive?
Although no amount of money can reverse the trauma from childhood sexual abuse, it can provide financial resources to help you recover. Victims of abuse may be entitled to seek monetary and punitive damages for:
- Medical bills and expenses, incurred as a result of the abuse
- Counseling and psychiatric treatment
- Pain and suffering caused by physical and emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Cost of relocation
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
The exact amount of compensation each victim will be entitled to is based on many factors. According to the most recent tax filing, the BSA’s total assets currently exceed $1 billion. The United States Bankruptcy Court has not yet approved a process for allocating funds.
The most important thing you can do to maximize your individual recovery is to hire a top-rated law firm, such as FlorinIRoebig, to help you gather the evidence you need to ensure you have a strong claim for compensation.
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Hire A Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love was abused in scouting, we want to help you hold your perpetrator and the organization that condoned his crimes accountable.
At FlorinIRoebig, our compassionate and knowledgeable team of sexual abuse lawyers has successfully represented thousands of victims nationwide. We feel that our verdicts and settlement awards speak for themselves. Call today for a confidential and free consultation.
