In recent years, misconduct among Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troops has received media attention, bringing to light disturbing claims of mistreatment by BSA leaders and volunteers. Since its founding in 1910, the BSA has developed a nationwide network of members and volunteers to teach young boys valuable life skills. Unfortunately, this network and access have taken a darker turn with thousands of incidents of sexual abuse and other misconduct.
Maison Law Can Help California Victims of Boy Scouts of America Sexual Abuse
If you or a loved one have been a victim of sexual abuse while participating in Boy Scouts of America programs in California, it’s important to seek emotional and legal support. At Maison Law, our team of experienced and dedicated California sexual abuse lawyers is proud to provide legal guidance and support to survivors of sexual abuse, helping them pursue justice. Sexual abuse of any kind is a complete violation of your rights as a human being, and perpetrators and organizations need to be held accountable for allowing it to happen. By working with our team, we can make sure that happens. Don’t wait to get the assistance you deserve; contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What is the Structure of Boy Scouts of America?
In order to understand the issue of sexual abuse among the Boy Scouts of America, it’s helpful to understand the organization’s structure and how it works. At a national level, the National Executive Board oversees the organization’s policies and finances. Moving down the hierarchy, the BSA has a vast network of local branches known as councils. These councils manage the local programs in their area, overseen by a local volunteer president and an executive that is employed by the BSA.
Each local council has individual Scouting units known as:
- Cub Scout packs
- Boy Scout troops
- Venturing crews
Each unit is led by trained adult volunteers, responsible for planning and leading unit activities and providing guidance and support to the Scouts in their care. According to organizational data, the BSA has over:
- 2 million youth members between ages 5 and 21
- 800,000 local volunteers
Given the structure and function of the BSA, it’s not difficult to see how issues like sexual abuse and other misconduct were allowed to happen. That said, the BSA’s response to these issues only added to the culture of abuse. Furthermore, the BSA has a significant presence in California, where some abuse occurred.
BSA Culture of Sexual Abuse in California
In California, as in other parts of the United States, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has been accused of fostering a culture of sexual abuse. For decades, the BSA failed to:
- Adequately screen volunteers and leaders
- Train them in child protection
- Respond effectively to reports of abuse
As a result, thousands of members–usually young boys–were subjected to repeated sexual abuse by adult leaders and volunteers. The effects of sexual abuse, especially in an environment like the Boy Scouts, cannot be overstated. They are often devastating and last throughout the victim’s lifetime. Every case is unique, but the most common effects of sexual abuse usually include the following:
- Physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
- Increased risk of health problems, including sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse.
- Emotional and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame.
- Difficulty with trust, intimacy, and interpersonal relationships.
- Difficulty regulating emotions and managing stress.
Sexual abuse also frequently has broader societal impacts, including the loss of public trust in the organization and undermining efforts to prevent and respond to abuse. This, in turn, leads to victims being unwilling to come forward when they’re being abused.
How is Sexual Abuse Defined in California?
Sexual abuse is generally defined as:
- Any sexual conduct that occurs without consent
This obviously takes in a large swath of potential actions and behaviors. In the context of sexual abuse among Scouts, the abuse took on the added layer of an adult abusing a child, which carries its own separate penalties. Still, sexual abuse typically takes the following forms:
- Inappropriate touching or fondling
- Sexual assault or rape
- Sexual harassment or coercion
- Exhibitionism or voyeurism
- Production or distribution of child pornography
- Sexual exploitation
Not only did this abuse occur between adult volunteers and leaders, but also frequently led to incidents of sexual abuse between Scouts. All told, the BSA routinely failed to protect these innocent victims and, worse, attempted to cover up the conduct of their adult volunteers and members that carried out the abuse. Understanding the impact of sexual abuse is complex, but it’s important for victims to understand their legal rights and the avenues they have to hold the organization accountable.
California Law and Boy Scout Sexual Abuse
Not only does California law provide blanket protections from any form of sexual abuse, but it also has gone to great lengths to adjust the rules on reporting sexual abuse within organizations and extend the time that victims can come forward and pursue legal action.
Under California law, sexual abuse of minors is a serious criminal offense. The state has a mandatory reporting law that requires certain individuals to report:
- Known or suspected instances of child abuse to law enforcement or child protective services.
This includes any instances of sexual abuse within the BSA or any other organization serving youth.
Additionally, with the recent passage of Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), victims have been granted an extended window to file claims of sexual abuse against the BSA. Specifically, AB 218 allows victims of sexual abuse to file a lawsuit:
- Until they reach 40 years of age
- Within five years of learning about the psychological or emotional injury from the abuse
While these laws provide victims with clear rights to bring a claim against their abusers, it still requires a huge investment of time and energy. Not only that, but many sexual abuse victims may not want to relive their trauma. But the legal process is an extremely productive way to hold responsible parties accountable. That’s why it’s important to have a team of supportive and compassionate sexual abuse lawyers on your side to support you through the process.
How Our Team Supports Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Victims
At Maison Law, we have an experienced team of sexual abuse lawyers who can provide individualized support and a specific approach to your particular case. It’s the foundation of our firm, and our approach has led to many satisfied clients across our practice. That said, a sexual abuse case, especially involving the Boy Scouts, is somewhat unique. Here is a bit more about our approach to this type of case:
- Reporting and documenting the abuse – The first step is to report the abuse to the appropriate authorities. This may include law enforcement, child protective services, or the BSA. We can assist you in this process and help you gather any evidence or other documentation regarding your abuse.
- Investigation – Once a report is made, authorities will typically conduct an investigation to determine the scope of the abuse and identify any perpetrators. This may involve collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing records.
- Filing a civil lawsuit – If you decide to pursue legal action against the BSA or other individuals or organizations responsible for the abuse, we can help you file a civil lawsuit. This can compensate you for damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
- Settlement or trial – Once your complaint is filed, your case will enter into litigation. This will involve the exchange of evidence and documents, known as “discovery.” This process could also see you and other pertinent individuals having deposition taken. While your case may reach a settlement agreement outside of court at any point, if a settlement isn’t reached, it could go to a trial in front of a judge and jury, who will ultimately determine the amount of compensation you’ll get.
As with any case, the outcome ultimately depends on the specific circumstances involved in your case. However, working with our experienced team of California sexual abuse lawyers can make sure your claim remains strong and that you have the support you need to see it through.
California Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Victims Can Rely on Maison Law
When you’ve suffered sexual abuse as a member of the Boy Scouts, you’ve likely dealt with severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma that is now a part of your daily life. No person should have to endure such treatment. At Maison Law, you can rely on our team of experienced and dedicated California sexual abuse lawyers to provide effective legal representation and compassion. Don’t suffer alone. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to take action.
