The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy on February 18, 2020 under pressure from victims sex abuse law suits. While some argue that filing bankruptcy may stop future claims, that may just be wishful thinking by the Boy Scouts of America and not the actual case. If you or your child are victims of Boy Scouts of America volunteers you need to speak to a lawyer immediately. There is time to file your claim but the window to file a lawsuit is quickly closing. Victims are entitled to compensation for the sex abuse they suffered to help them on their their path to recovery and to send a message to Boy Scouts of America that their covering for the perpetrators is unacceptable.
Boy Scouts of America and a History of Sex Abuse
The Boy Scouts of America began keeping records of volunteers that either had prior sexual assault charges or complaints about sex abuse 110 years ago. A 2010 Oregon lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America revealed that the Boy Scouts of America has a “Perversion File” which painstaking documented about 5,000 adults who were expelled from Boy Scouts of America due to sex abuse between 1947 and 2005. A Judge ordered these “Perversion Files” be released to the public in 2012.
Boy Scouts of America Identified Sex Abuse Perpetrators in New Orleans
In the “Perversion Files” there were local sex abuse cases. In New Orleans twelve adult perpetrators identified, one in Chalmette, two in Westwego, one in Slidell and one in Gramercy. The list only goes through 2005. The number of perpetrators and victims likely is much more extensive. A visual map of where documented abuse in the “perversion files” happened can be found here.
Sex Abuse Rampant and Intentionally Covered Up
The Boy Scouts of America hired an expert, Professor Janet Warren, to review the “Perversion Files” and other documents held by the Boy Scouts of America to access the number of potential perpetrators who assaulted children. After five years of reviewing records ranging from 1947 through 2016, she determined that there were almost 8,000 identified sex abuse perpetrators that volunteered or worked for the Boy Scouts of America and 12,254 victims. The Boy Scouts of America purposefully allowed sex abuse perpetrators to work after they knew of problems. They also took steps to quiet the sex abuse claims so that the organization looked better.
Is It Too Late To File Suit?
There are some time limits on when lawsuits can be filed. Each case is different and a lawyer should carefully listen to you and the facts of your case to determine how you should best proceed. All meetings are confidential and we treat clients with the dignity and respect they deserve.
