The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is facing an astounding number of nearly 90,000 sexual abuse claims, dwarfing the approximately 9,000 claims associated with the Catholic Church, as reported by AP. As of Sunday night, the claims reached a staggering total of 82,663 and continue to rise as the organization approaches its Chapter 11 bankruptcy deadline for victims to file claims by 5 p.m. ET on Monday.
“This is the largest sexual abuse case ever, by far,” stated Tim Johnson, a Seattle attorney representing thousands of BSA claimants nationwide, in an interview with The Seattle Times. “It’s significantly larger than all of the Catholic Church cases combined.”
Paul Smith, an attorney who has dedicated nearly two decades to Boy Scouts cases, expressed his surprise at the quantity of claims, noting, “I knew there were many cases, but I never imagined it would be this high.” According to The New York Times, the coalition known as Abused in Scouting represents clients from all 50 states, with alleged victims ages ranging from 9 to 95.
As the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy, numerous sexual abuse lawsuits were launched nationwide by former scouts. “From what we are hearing from survivors, sexual abuse was a rite of passage in troops across the nation, similar to other tasks children undertook to earn merit badges,” commented lead attorney Andrew Van Arsdale. He described the sex abuse within BSA as an “unspoken norm,” having communicated with thousands of alleged survivors over the past 19 months.
Due to the bankruptcy filing, lawsuits are currently on hold, which means survivors must now present their claims in bankruptcy court rather than through civil proceedings. This change results in the loss of their right to a jury trial. “While their lives won’t be scrutinized, they forfeit their right to a jury trial,” noted Michael Taylor, an attorney in Seattle representing hundreds of claimed victims. “For many survivors of abuse, sharing their story in court and compelling organizations to justify their actions can be therapeutic. That opportunity will not exist in bankruptcy court.”
In response to the overwhelming number of claims detailing abuse by scout leaders, the BSA stated in a prepared statement that they are “devastated by the number of lives impacted by past abuse in scouting” and are “moved by the courage of those who have come forward.” “We are heartbroken that we cannot undo their pain,” they added.
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In summary, the Boy Scouts of America faces nearly 90,000 claims of sexual abuse, far exceeding those linked to the Catholic Church. As the organization navigates bankruptcy proceedings, many survivors are compelled to present their cases in a different legal context, hindering their opportunities for traditional court experiences. The significant number of claims highlights a pervasive issue within the organization, with its impact resonating across the nation.
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