In 2020, the Boy Scouts of America, a once-thriving non-profit organization, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. This means the organization can continue to operate while restructuring and attempting to pay off unsettled debts. The organization has more than $1 billion in assets, according to a New York Times report.
In recent years, the Boy Scouts of America has been engrossed in legal battles regarding the sexual abuse and mistreatment of minors. Their records show that over 12,000 children were abused while they were members. While the estimated net worth of Boy Scouts of America is still high, mounting debt and decreased membership have caused a financial shockwave throughout the organization.
Sources of Income for Boy Scouts of America
A large percentage of the Boy Scouts revenue exists through:
- Private donations
- Corporate Sponsorships
- Membership dues
- Fundraisers
The Boy Scouts of America does not rely on any taxpayer money or public funding. The financial status of the Boy Scouts of America has taken a significant toll in the past 20 years, largely due to ongoing and settled legal problems that have cost millions of dollars in damages and legal fees.
The Boy Scouts Legal Issues
Many of the sex abuse lawsuits filed against the Boy Scouts of America revolve around the sexual abuse of youth members, and organizational negligence in reacting to and preventing such cases. Many survivors have already filed and settled claims, with more coming forward. While not every case results in financial compensation, many claimants are awarded compensation for pain and suffering, reimbursement for medical expenses, and more.
History of the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 and has had millions of individuals participating in the many offered programs that aim to enrich youth development and build character, while often incorporating nature and wilderness.
The mission of the Boy Scouts is to instill values into its members. Some of these principles include being loyal, trustworthy, helpful, courteous, kind, and obedient, among others.
The Boy Scouts strive to achieve their mission through several youth activities and groups. There is a merit-based system in which participants can earn badges and improve their ranking within the organization when showing proficiency in a specific area of education. Many times, Boy Scout programs revolve around the great outdoors.
The current Boy Scout programs include the “Cub Scouts” for boys ages 6 through 10, the “Boy Scouts” and “Varsity Scouts” for slightly older boys, up to age 17, and a number of programs available for adults such as the “Sea Scouts” and career-based programs. According to the 2016 annual report, the Boy Scouts of America had well over 2 million participants, including both youth and adults.
Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
While the Boy Scouts preach good values, abuse can happen anywhere, and to anyone. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18. The CDC says that experiencing sexual abuse as a child can affect a person over their lifetime, and can have physical as well as psychological consequences. Some of the effects of child sexual abuse include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Loss of trust
- Substance use and abuse
Sexual abuse can also put a financial strain on a survivor, as they might require years of therapy and other treatments. The CDC estimates that the total cost of child abuse in the U.S. amounts to $9.3 billion. If you or someone you know were sexually abused in the Boy Scouts, you could be entitled to compensation through a sex abuse lawsuit against the Boy Scouts to help with the costs and hold your sexual abuser accountable.
Some of the costs you might be able to recover include compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
This is not an exhaustive list of recoverable compensation. For an estimate of what you are entitled to, you might benefit from consulting with a sexual abuse attorney.
Boy Scouts Abuse Should Not be Tolerated; Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know was involved with the Boy Scouts of America and may have been the victim of sexual abuse, you could be suffering in many ways. If you are interested in pursuing a boy scout sexual abuse case, a team member at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is available to help. In some cases, survivors can potentially recover compensation. There is no obligation, but it could be beneficial to understand your options if you have been abused in scouting. Call (800) 794-0444 to learn more.