A staggering number of nearly 90,000 sexual abuse claims have been lodged against the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), significantly exceeding the approximately 9,000 claims associated with Catholic Church cases, according to reports from AP. As of Sunday night, the claims reached a total of 82,663 and are expected to rise as the organization approaches its deadline for victims to file claims in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
“This is the largest sexual abuse case ever by a significant margin,” remarked Tim Johnson, a Seattle attorney representing thousands of BSA claimants nationwide, in a conversation with The Daily Journal. He emphasized that the figures far surpass those from the Catholic Church.
“I anticipated many cases, but I never imagined it would reach this level,” stated Paul Brown, an attorney involved in Boy Scouts cases for almost twenty years, speaking to The New York Times. Reports indicate that the coalition known as Advocates for Youth has clients in all 50 states, with alleged victims ranging in age from 9 to 95.
The bankruptcy filing by the Boy Scouts led to a surge of sexual abuse lawsuits being filed across the country. “From what we’ve gathered from survivors, sexual abuse was a common occurrence in troops nationwide, much like completing certain tasks to earn merit badges,” said Andrew Van Arsdale, a lead attorney, in a prepared statement. He described the sexual abuse within the BSA as an “unspoken norm.”
Due to the BSA’s bankruptcy filing, survivors must now seek justice in bankruptcy court rather than through traditional civil proceedings, CNN reports. This shift means they will forfeit their right to a jury trial. “While their stories won’t face scrutiny, they lose the opportunity for a jury trial,” explained Michael Greene, a Seattle-based attorney representing numerous alleged victims. “For many survivors of abuse, sharing their experiences in court and compelling organizations to defend their actions can be a healing process. That opportunity is lost in bankruptcy.”
In response to the overwhelming number of claims detailing abuse by scout leaders, the BSA expressed that they are “devastated by the number of lives affected by past abuse in scouting” and that they are “inspired 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 are facing an unprecedented wave of nearly 90,000 sexual abuse claims, dwarfing previous cases such as those from the Catholic Church. This troubling situation has prompted a shift to bankruptcy court for claimants, which alters their opportunities for justice. The BSA has expressed sorrow over the impact of these claims and the lives affected by past abuses.