The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has been hit with another lawsuit, claiming an assistant scoutmaster molested the plaintiff hundreds of times since he was 12 years old. The plaintiff’s lawyers say they have also been contacted by hundreds of former Scouts who allege they have been victims of abuse at the hands of BSA volunteers.
The Perversion Files
Since the 1920’s the BSA has been keeping a log, referred to as the “perversion files,” on volunteers who have been accused of molesting or sexually abusing Boy Scouts. In 2012, the Oregon Supreme Court ordered the database, which contains the names of over 7,000 individuals, be released as part of a case against the BSA.
The recent allegations identify 350 people involved in the organization who were not previously reported to police or listed in the BSA’s perversion files. The attorneys in the most recent suit said that the sheer number of victims, as well as the additional perpetrators, suggests the BSA is covering up pedophilia occurring within the organization.
Abuse Committed by Trusted Authorities
Many of the men named in the current allegations were prominent members of society and were trusted by the young boys and their parents to provide a safe environment. The victims allege that the leaders and volunteers took advantage of their positions and subjected some of the Scouts to various abuses, including fondling and sodomy.
The trips and events put on by the BSA troops also gave the alleged abusers private access to the Scouts they preyed on. During camping trips, the men would slip into the boys’ tents and touch them while they slept. Additionally, car rides to and from meetings or other functions allowed the perpetrators time alone with some of the Scouts.
Several of the offenses being reported now took place years ago, and victims may have various reasons for not coming forward sooner. Some may be embarrassed by what happened to them; others might not have realized they were subject to improper behavior because such acts were common.
Statute of Limitations for Reporting Abuse
States have different laws about when a victim can come forward to report instances of child sexual abuse. In May of 2019, Arizona extended its statute of limitations for these types of crimes. A victim has until they are 30 years of age to bring a lawsuit against their abuser. For those over 30, they can initiate a civil action until December 31, 2020.
Our Team at Montoya, Lucero & Pastor P.A. Provides the Compassionate and Dedicated Legal Representation You Deserve
If you or a loved one were subjected to child sexual abuse, contact our attorneys to discuss your case. We will guide you through the lawsuit process and will fight hard to hold the abuser accountable for damages they caused. Backed by decades of experience handling these types of cases, we know how to leverage our knowledge, skills, and resources to obtain fair compensation.
Talk to one of our lawyers today by calling us at (602) 483-6869 or contacting us online.