In February of this year, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy in Federal Court in Delaware in response to mounting liability from child sexual abuse cases. The organization faced 275 lawsuits in state and federal courts plus at least 1,400 additional potential claims. As part of these bankruptcy proceedings, funds were set aside to compensate the survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of BSA scoutmasters, scouts, and other volunteers. Victims have until November 16, 2020 to file their claims with the court. For sexual abuse survivors who are considering filing a claim, you’ll find answers to common questions below.
Filing an Abuse Claim against the Boy Scouts of America: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHO CAN FILE A CLAIM?
A: Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or assault within Boy Scouts of America is eligible to file a claim, regardless of when or where it occurred. Eligible claimants include (but are not limited to) those who:
- Filed lawsuits or claims against BSA.
- Called the Scouts First Hotline or otherwise reported abuse.
- Never filed a lawsuit, entered a settlement, or reported their abuse.
- Received a settlement agreement from BSA but believe they have additional claims.>
- Experienced abuse and believe their claim is now barred under the state of limitations.
Q: WHAT IF MY ABUSER WAS NOT A SCOUTMASTER?
A: Abusers do not have to be scoutmasters to qualify a claim. Abusers can be scoutmasters, fellow scouts, assistant scoutmasters, camp employees, camp directors, instructors, or other volunteers.
Q: WHAT IF I WAS A CUB SCOUT?
A: Incidents within all BSA programs are eligible, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Explorer and Venturing programs.
Q: WHAT IF I DON’T REMEMBER ALL OF THE DETAILS?
A: It’s okay if you don’t remember every single detail. File your claim based on the information you do remember.
Q: DOES IT COST MONEY TO FILE A CLAIM?
A: No. Messa & Associates works on a contingency basis. We don’t charge filing or consultation fees and we will not be compensated unless you are compensated.
Q: WHAT ABOUT MY PRIVACY?
A: Your privacy will remain secure. Claims will not be made available to the general public and Messa & Associates will employ confidential protocol in order to file your claims discreetly. With the exceptions of the required review committees, your information will remain confidential unless you choose to disclose it.
My question is short. Why Guam is not included?! This is a scam! We have been a possession of the US since 1886, in the treaty of Paris!
Why are we blaming this institution for the crimes of sick people? My scoutmaster had just returned from Vietnam taking over for his dad, both of whom made such a positive role in my life. Every day I see members of the troop or brothers and sisters of members who have made this community and this country a great place to live. If crimes were committed during scout activities we must go after the perpetrators, not the institution. I feel this is a terrible misuse of litigation.
Patrick – I understand your frustration, and I do believe that you and many other people had positive experiences in the Boy Scouts, but that does not negate the tremendous suffering experienced by those who were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BSA employees, scout masters, volunteers, and members. The organization bears the responsibility for allowing these abuses to take place and not acting promptly and appropriately when abusers were discovered.