According to recent reports, nearly 90,000 sexual abuse allegations have been lodged against the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), significantly exceeding the approximately 9,000 claims linked to the Catholic Church. As of Sunday night, the total number of claims stood at 82,663 and is expected to rise as the organization approaches its 5 p.m. ET Monday deadline for victims to present their claims during the bankruptcy proceedings initiated in February.
“It’s the largest sexual abuse case ever, by a wide margin,” states Mark Thompson, an attorney representing thousands of claimants across the country. “It dwarfs the claims against the Catholic Church.”
“I anticipated many cases, but never imagined it would reach this magnitude,” added Sarah Mitchell, a lawyer focused on Boy Scouts litigation for nearly 20 years. The coalition Abused in Scouting, which includes attorneys from all 50 states, is actively representing these victims, who range in age from 9 to 95.
Following the BSA’s bankruptcy filing, a wave of sexual abuse lawsuits emerged nationwide from former scouts.
“From what survivors are sharing, sexual abuse was almost a rite of passage in troops nationwide, akin to the tasks required to earn merit badges,” noted lead attorney Andrew Nelson. He described the abuse within the BSA as an “unspoken norm.”
Due to the bankruptcy proceedings, victims are now required to pursue their claims in bankruptcy court rather than through civil litigation, thus forfeiting their right to a jury trial.
“They won’t face scrutiny, but they lose the opportunity for a jury trial,” explained attorney Jason Hartman, who represents numerous alleged victims. “For many survivors, recounting their stories in court can provide a sense of closure, but that will not occur in bankruptcy.”
In response to the extensive allegations detailing abuse by scout leaders, BSA issued a statement expressing their sorrow over the impact of past abuse in scouting and their admiration for those who have come forward. “We are heartbroken that we cannot undo their pain,” they added.
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- How to file a sexual abuse claim against the Boy Scouts
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In summary, the Boy Scouts of America is facing an unprecedented wave of nearly 90,000 sexual abuse claims, far exceeding the allegations against the Catholic Church. As bankruptcy proceedings unfold, victims are shifting their claims to bankruptcy court, impacting their legal rights and recourse.