By Mike Ciandella. While the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) faces increasing pressure to release the names of leaders accused of sexual abuse, hundreds of alleged victims have come forward to tell their own stories.
The BSA reportedly has kept the names of 7,819 leaders accused of sexual abuse since 1944 a secret. These leaders were accused by 12,254 alleged victims. The “scope” of how many names are found in these so-called “perversion files” hasn’t been known until now, Jeff Anderson, a lawyer for the victims, told NBC News.
Anderson said he learned about the number of people included in these files from a professor at the University of Virginia named Dr. Janet Warren. Warren had reportedly worked with the Boy Scouts while they evaluated their handling of abuse allegations.
The BSA itself has acknowledged that these files exist, but has refused to make them public. Anderson argued that this endangered young children: “They may have removed them from scouting, but the Boy Scouts of America have never alerted communities that this scout leader, this coach, this teacher is known to be a child molester.”
The Boy Scouts, however, insist that the names of these accused abusers have been turned over to law enforcement. The organization said in a statement, “At no time have we ever knowingly allowed a sexual predator to work with youth, and we mandate that all leaders, volunteers and staff members nationwide immediately report any abuse allegation to law enforcement.”
Just in the past few weeks, more than 200 people have come forward to say that they were victims of abuse at the hands of 150 Scout leaders.
On Tuesday, the law firms of Greg Gianforcaro and Jeff Anderson & Associates released a list the names of 50 scout leaders who were accused of abusing minors in the state of New Jersey.
In 2010, the Boy Scouts were forced to pay $18.5 million in damages and release 20,000 documents. The organization is reportedly considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (BSA denies this), which could make it difficult for alleged victims to win compensation. (For more from the author of “Terrifying Boy Scout Abuse Scandal Revealed, Hundreds Come Forward With Allegations” please click HERE)
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Nearly 8,000 Boy Scout Leaders Allegedly Sexually Abused Minors
By The Week. More than 12,000 Boy Scouts have allegedly been sexually abused by more than 7,000 troop leaders and volunteers in the organization, reports ABC News.
Newly released court documents provide testimony substantiating the claims, writes ABC News. Expert witness Janet Warren, who is a professor at the University of Virginia’s medical school, revealed during a January trial she has been evaluating the Boy Scouts of America’s handling of sexual abuse cases from 1944 to 2016. During this trial, which centered around sexual abuse allegations at a Minnesota children’s theater, Warren said that there were 7,819 perpetrators and 12,254 victims within the organization, reports ABC News.
Attorney Jeff Anderson publicized these numbers on Tuesday and said 130 of the alleged abusers live in New York and could face legal repercussions. (Read more from “Nearly 8,000 Boy Scout Leaders Allegedly Sexually Abused Minors” HERE)
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