Bankruptcy Claims and Child Sexual Abuse

Monday 11/16/2020 – ended the many-months process of making sexual abuse and other kinds of injury claims against the planned Victim’s Fund that will be part of the National Council’s chapter eleven bankruptcy filing, and emergence.

We are providing the following statement:

The Boy Scouts of America wholeheartedly supports survivors of abuse. We are devastated by the number of lives impacted by past abuse in Scouting and are moved by the bravery of those who have come forward.

Nothing is more important than the safety of youth in our programs – it is our top priority. Over many years, we have developed some of the strongest youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization, which are informed by respected experts in the fields of child safety, law enforcement, and child psychology.  

The BSA’s multi-layered process of safeguards includes the following measures, all of which act as barriers to abuse: a leadership policy that requires at least two youth-protection trained adults be present with youth at all times and bans one-on-one situations where adults would have any interaction alone with children – either in person, online, or via text; a thorough screening process for adult leaders and staff including criminal background checks, and the prompt mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse to law enforcement. The BSA also offers a 24/7 Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1) and email contact address (scouts1st@scouting.org) for help reporting suspected abuse or inappropriate behavior.  

For more information about the BSA’s youth protection policies, please visit: Scouting.org/YouthSafety

 

Related information on BSA Restructuring https://www.bsarestructuring.org/

 

Bar Date FAQ

 

Contact: Samoset Council Scout Executive, John Overland 715-355-1450