Report dredges up Boy Scouts sex abuse scandal

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(AP) LOS ANGELES - A newspaper investigation has found the Boy Scouts of America failed to report hundreds of suspected child sex abusers to authorities and often helped cover up the accusations over two decades.

The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that a review of 1,600 of the organization's confidential "perversion" files dating from 1970 to 1991 revealed that leaders often helped suspected molesters push the allegations under the rug.

The newspaper found that in about 400 cases, there is no record of the Scouts reporting cases to police after parents, boys and staff members notified leaders.

In a statement, Scouts spokesman Deron Smith says the organization today requires members to report any suspicion of abuse directly to local authorities and has always fully cooperated with police.

The L.A. Times provided an example of the alleged coverup, writing:

In 1982, a Michigan Boy Scout camp director who learned of allegations of repeated abuse by a staff member told police he didn't promptly report them because his bosses wanted to protect the reputation of the Scouts and the accused staff member.

"He stated that he had been advised by his supervisors and legal counsel that he should neutralize the situation and keep it quiet," according to a police report in the file.

[SNAPJudy]

Our hearts go out to all the boy scouts who have been sexually abused, they never deserved to be treated so inhumane.

Child sex predators need to be kept far away from kids forever...
BUT, an even more powerful danger is when high ranking officials enable, empower, and cover up these crimes against kids. They need to be held accountable for allowing more innocent kids to be sexually abused. It is and was a crime to sexually abuse a child.

Child sex abuse thrives in secrecy and secret systems that allow it to continue to this day.
Keep in mind that child predators rarely have only one victim. So if you have been harmed by anyone in the Boy Scouts, Churches, or any institutional setting, your silence only hurts, and by speaking up, contacting the police, and exposing the truth, there is a chance for healing, and protecting others.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511. [e-mail],
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,) is the worlds oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims.
SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word priest in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc.

[Noblesinger]

Just as I think Penn State's football program should have been suspended for 4 years, the BSA should suspend its program for 5 years, and not before they pay their dues to the abused boys, and all law suits are settled. I'll tell you this much, If my son were sexually abused the the BSA troupe, and some misfit on the board hid this fact, I would sue their brown uniforms off. When the BSA, after 5 years is reinstated, a part of the deal will be that they must admit gay boys. If they don't the BSA will be no more....period.
I realize this will never happen, but i would fight tooth and nail for my son.

[RoedyGreen]

This scandal might put to rest the myth that gays and pedophiles are the same thing. The Boy Scouts kept out gays and recruited pedophiles.

[GDLDV]

It is amazing to me to see the double standard people use to compare what has gone on in the boysscouts and their handling of the cases, with how the Catholic Church is accused of doing with its cases.

[reasonablepersonality]

WHERE DOES COVERING UP THE BAD BEHAVIOR OF FELLOW SCOUT LEADERS FIT INTO THE SCOUT OATH, PROMISE OR MOTTO? Sadly the sick behavior of a few and the cowardice of quite a few has caused the suffering of many. Shame on those who allowed this to go unchecked. Silence speaks volumes about obligatory oaths echoing in hollow hearts and hallowed halls...I am saddened for those who believe in this institution and have been betrayed.

Boy Scout Oath or Promise

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.



Note that the Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises.

The three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:
Duty to God and country
Duty to other people, and
Duty to self

DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God.

Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country's good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points.

DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you're needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.

DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.



Boy Scout Law

A Scout is:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.


Boy Scout Motto

Be Prepared!



Boy Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily!



The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation minded.

[tkellner]

The Boy Scouts, who publically ban homosexuals, clearly excluded only honest people who admitted the truth about themselves. Despite the organization's homophobia, they still screwed up.

They did worse than screw up. They betrayed kids. That is a disgrace.

[OliviaLaRosa]

Pedophilia and child molestation are different from homosexuality. Many child molesters never have a relationship with an adult of either sex. There are umpteen studies demonstrating that there is little or no overlap in these two populations. Now, both straight and gay men are culpable in desiring sex with postpubescent teens.

[lillyhorton]

WOW. Some comments from people are something else. BSA is not an evil cult. It teaches boys to become good men. How many former Boy Scouts do you know do bad things to people, aside from those in military service?

[pbaird2]

How many children are sexully abused by their own mothers and fathers? We never see the statistics nor the level of disgust with that scenario which is most prevalent.

[audemus]

Boy it's a good thing the BSA doesn't allow homosexuals....

[wowjustwow03]

Coincidence that this old, dealt-with-to-the-umpteenth-degree article is dredged up only weeks after BSA decides not to allow homosexuals to participate and camp out with other scouts? I think not.
BSA is one of the only organizations where true life and life-saving skills are taught to young men.
Instead of talking about that, people get off on tangents about pro-gay and Sandusky garbage. Please people, stick to the topic and not your own agendas

[pbaird2]

Statistics and psychological profiles indicate pedophiles are not homosexual or heterosexual, but rather sexually disoriented and can only function with children. Homosexuals, like heterosexuals, generally prefer sex partners who are willing, able and have consentual sensual tastes.