For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a community pillar in the lives of many people. The organization’s purpose is to instruct children on how to become moral and ethical adults by teaching them both Scout Law and the Scout Oath. As a result of this instruction, millions of young Americans have had a positive life experience. The Boy Scouts of America, however, does not provide beneficial experiences to all its members.
Over the last decade, hundreds of former Boy Scouts have spoken out against sexual abuse at the hands of former scoutmasters and other leaders. As the country has provided a more supportive environment for the victims of sexual abuse, more former Boy Scouts have felt comfortable in sharing details about the abuse that they suffered. If you or a loved one was a victim of sexual abuse while a member of the Boy Scouts, an attorney can help you create a strong legal strategy to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Failure to Protect its Members
Evidence shows that the Boy Scouts organization failed to take enough precautions to protect members from sexual abuse. An internal document referred to as the “Perversion File” cites more than 8,000 leaders in the Organization who have been credibly accused of abusing members over the last half-century. These records reveal that more than 12,000 children were molested.
While the Boy Scouts of America was aware that child molestation was widespread, the organization failed to take enough steps to prevent this abuse. The Boy Scouts’ charter requires the organization to make a report to Congress every year, but the organization has consistently failed to disclose the problem of molestation that it faced.
The Devastating Nature of Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can leave victims facing long-lasting complications that substantially impact a victim’s quality of life. This harm can include emotional, physical, and mental conditions. Unfortunately, for many victims of sexual abuse, there is no easy way to treat many of the accompanying symptoms.
Some of the most common physical symptoms seen in sexual abuse victims include:
- Chronic pain
- Complications with reproductive health
- Gastrointestinal health disorders
- Heat conditions
- Obesity
Besides these physical complications, some of the most common emotional and mental complications seen in sexual abuse victims include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders.
If you or a loved one is experiencing these or other complications as the result of sexual abuse involving the Boy Scouts of America, it is important to remember that you have the right to pursue compensation.
Speak with a Knowledgeable Boy Scout Abuse Attorney
At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we have experience fighting for the results that sexual abuse victims deserve. Given that the Boy Scouts are considering pursuing bankruptcy, there is no time like the present to begin pursuing your case.
Contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today to schedule a free confidential case evaluation, during which time we will discuss your options to pursue compensation.
