Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Lawyer

The sexual abuse crisis within the Boy Scouts of America is one of the most widespread and disturbing institutional failures in U.S. history. For decades, children across the country were abused by Scoutmasters, volunteers, troop leaders, and other Scouts. Even more shocking is how long this abuse was hidden.

Beginning as early as the 1920s, BSA maintained a set of secret records known internally as the “Ineligible Volunteer Files” or “Perversion Files.” These files documented allegations and reports of adult volunteers accused of sexually abusing children for decades.

While the purpose of these files was to prevent abusers from re-entering scouting, the reality is more disturbing. The organization, in fear of damage disclosing the abuse would do to its reputation, chose not to inform the police, parents who continued to place their children in the organization, or even its own employees and volunteers about the abuse within its ranks. This secrecy protected the reputation of the organization at the cost of failing to protect the boys involved in scouting. BSA prioritized the reputation of the organization over the safety of children.

This institutional failure extends beyond individual perpetrators. Local councils, regional leadership, and national executives are now dealing with the fallout of the years of abuse they ignored.

As a result, many perpetrators maintained their positions within scouting and thousands of additional scouts were abused.

The Boy Scout Organization was supposed to represent character, honor, and trust. The uniform symbolized safety, mentorship, and belonging for many young boys. To have that trust violated by someone in a position of authority left lasting psychological scars.  For some, the abuse led to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and a lifelong struggle with relationships and self-worth.

Dealing with the eventual onslaught of cases alleging sexual abuse against the Boy Scouts, BSA filed for bankruptcy in 2020.  Over 80,000 survivors came forward with allegations of sexual abuse and filed claims within the bankruptcy. These incidents of abuse have made it one of the largest child sexual abuse scandals ever recorded. The true number of survivors is likely even higher, as many remain too afraid, ashamed, or traumatized to speak out.

If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts, you may have been told that it is too late to take legal action. Maybe years have passed. Maybe the abuse happened when you were very young. You may wonder whether the law will still listen to your story.

The answer is yes.

In California, in 2020, the law changed to recognize how long it can take survivors of childhood sexual abuse to come forward. In 2019, California passed legislation called the Child Victims Act. This law extended the amount of time survivors have to file civil claims against individuals and institutions responsible for their abuse.

This law gives survivors the chance to file claims even if the abuse occurred decades ago and would have previously been barred by the statute of limitations. This law was designed with one clear purpose: to give power back to the people who had it taken from them as children.

Whether you were abused by a Scoutmaster, a troop leader, or another adult connected with the Boy Scouts, you may be able to bring a claim against the Boy Scouts of America, local councils, sponsoring organizations, and others who may have failed to protect you or actively worked to cover it up.

We will help you understand your rights, explain your legal options, and walk you through every step at your pace and on your terms.

In Boy Scouts-related lawsuits, multiple parties may have shared responsibility for the sexual abuse that occurred.

There are many people and organizations who enabled abuse through inaction, neglect, or deliberate concealment.

If you were abused in connection with Scouting, we can take a close look at every entity that may have played a role, including:

• The Boy Scouts of America (BSA): As the national organization overseeing Scouting programs, BSA held responsibility for setting standards, providing training to volunteers on how to look for or detect potential abuse, conducting background checks, and maintaining a safe environment. They also kept internal files documenting suspected abusers for decades, which were rarely shared with parents or law enforcement. This organization has filed for bankruptcy, but you may still be able to file a claim in the Boy Scout Bankruptcy.
• Local councils and troops: These regional bodies and individual troop leaders supervised volunteers and implemented safety policies. In some cases, they ignored complaints, transferred known abusers to new troops, or looked the other way.
• Sponsoring organizations: Many Scout troops operated within churches, schools, or civic groups. These institutions may also be held accountable if they failed to vet volunteers properly or if they covered up reports of misconduct to protect their reputation.
• The individual perpetrators: If your abuser is still alive and identifiable, you may also have the right to pursue a civil claim against them directly.

At Liakos Law, we will dig into the records, investigate thoroughly, and identify every possible path to accountability. No stone will be left unturned.

You deserve justice not just from the person who harmed you, but from every institution that allowed it to happen or failed to stop it when it had the chance.

We know that no amount of money can erase the past. The trauma of childhood sexual abuse does not disappear with a check. However, financial compensation can help survivors regain stability, access long-overdue support, and build a future.

You deserve the resources to heal on your own terms. In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering: This includes the emotional, psychological, and spiritual toll of what you have endured. Trauma doesn’t always leave visible scars, but its impact can last a lifetime. You may be compensated for anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship struggles, or loss of enjoyment in life.
• Therapy and medical expenses: Many survivors need long-term therapy or counseling, sometimes for years or decades after the abuse. Your compensation can cover the cost of mental health care, psychiatric treatment, medications, and even residential programs if needed, both now and in the future.
• Lost wages or earning capacity: Abuse can disrupt every part of a person’s life, including their education and career. If you have struggled to hold a job, missed out on opportunities, or suffered financially due to the abuse, we can help you seek recovery for those economic losses.
• Punitive damages: In cases where an organization’s conduct was especially reckless, such as knowingly shielding abusers or ignoring multiple reports, punitive damages may be awarded. These are meant to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior in the future.
• Other economic and non-economic damages: We will also explore any additional losses specific to your experience, whether it is out-of-pocket costs related to your recovery or compensation for the day-to-day challenges you face as a result of the trauma.

We take the time to understand the full scope of how the abuse affected you. Our team will fight to make sure those damages are recognized, respected, and reflected in your claim.

In 2020, the Boy Scouts national organization filed for bankruptcy after facing thousands of sexual abuse lawsuits. As part of the bankruptcy, a survivor compensation fund was created. This allows abuse survivors to file claims even if the abuse happened decades ago.

This process has its own set of rules and deadlines. If you have an eligible claim, we will make sure your claim is submitted properly and that you receive any compensation available to you.

In many cases, survivors can also pursue claims outside bankruptcy, especially if local councils or other organizations were involved. We will look at all your options to maximize your recovery.

If you are ready to talk, our experienced sexual abuse lawyers are here to listen and discuss your options. At Liakos Law, our firm is dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse find justice, closure, and healing.

Contact us today to schedule your free, private consultation so you can take the next steps towards justice.