Boy Scouts Abuse Attorneys in Pennsylvania
Time Is Limited to Recover Compensation for Past Abuse
UPDATE: The Boy Scouts of America has opened up the Sexual Abuse Survivor Proof of Claim program for victims to recover compensation for their past abuse and suffering. Claims must be submitted by November 16, 2020.
You joined the Boy Scouts to experience the comradery of being with kids your own age while building life skills and boosting your confidence. Your troop leader and the volunteers you spend countless hours with were supposed to be role models, to be there to guide you and boost your self-esteem. Instead, your trust was broken in the most horrible way. Now, instead of lifetime memories, you only have lifelong pain and devastation.
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we have been fighting for the rights of minor and adult victims of sexual abuse for decades. Our Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America (BSA) sexual abuse lawyers are committed to fighting for those who were victimized by a scout leader or volunteer. We will fight to make sure your voice is not silenced and help you receive justice from not only the predators that committed these terrible acts but from the institution that allowed it to occur.
To schedule a free, confidential consultation, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC online or call us at (877) 989-4878. We are available 24/7 to take your call.
Sexual Abuse Claims Against The Boy Scouts of America
In the 1980s and 1990s, there were nearly 2,000 reported cases of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America. To combat sexual abuse, the BSA created a sex abuse education and prevention program to address the issue. But it wasn’t enough to protect the youth within its organization.
In 2010, the BSA paid $18.5 million to a former scout from Oregon who was abused in the 1980s. That case created a window for more victims to come forward and seek justice.
Reports have come forward that children were exposed to fondling, pornography, and forced sexual activity. In an April 2019 court testimonial, the organization believed more than 7,800 former leaders were involved in sexually abusing more than 12,000 children over the course of 72 years.
And the list continues to grow.
On February 18, 2020, The Boy Scouts of America announced that the national organization filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue carrying out its mission for years to come. According to a press release, BSA intends to use the Chapter 11 process to create a Victims Compensation Trust that would provide equitable compensation to victims. As of July 2020, this trust has been created, and victims have until November 16, 2020 to seek compensation.
Sexual Abuse & Exploitation: What You Need to Know
Pennsylvania law defines sexual abuse as unwanted sexual activity carried out by a perpetrator who takes advantage of the victim, sometimes using force or threats of violence. Sexual abuse does not have to involve the act of sexual intercourse itself; it can be something as simple as an unwelcome touch or a kiss.
Abuse or exploitation methods used by Boy Scouts of America scoutmasters or other BSA leaders include:
- Molestation
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd or lascivious acts
- Statutory rape
- Sexual threats or harassment
- Sexual assault
- Un-consented touching with or without clothing
Studies show that “childhood sexual abuse has been correlated with higher levels of depression, guilt, shame, self-blame, eating disorders, somatic concerns, anxiety, dissociative patterns, repression, denial, sexual problems, and relationship problems.”
If your child exhibits erratic changes in behavior, such as nightmares, excessive worrying or reverting back to child-like behavior he may have already outgrown, or begins to self-harm, your child may have been abused.
Legal Assistance Is Available to Boy Scouts of America Abuse Survivors
If you or your child is one of the thousands of survivors of abuse at the hands of a member of the Boy Scouts of America, you have the right to seek compensation. You may receive economic damages for your abuse, such as medical and therapy bills and loss of income. You may also be able to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish the individuals and the institutions that allowed these horrible acts to occur for decades.
Under Pennsylvania law, you can file a claim against the individual party who is responsible for the abuse and the organization that allowed it to happen or who attempted to conceal or failed to report the abuse.
By sharing your story, you are not only standing up for your rights but are protecting others. By standing up to an organization at the magnitude of The Boy Scouts of America, you are changing the narrative—helping ensure no other child is abused again.
In cases of sexual abuse, liability needs to be established, which is why you need the support and compassion of an experienced sexual abuse lawyer. Our firm has worked with clergy abuse victims and school sexual abuse survivors, and we have been fighting for the rights of sexual abuse survivors for decades. With a former member of the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office, we understand what is needed in these cases to get you the justice that you deserve and to stop the abuse from reoccurring.
Our Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America Abuse Lawyers Are Here to Help
Your trust has been broken and your family devastated by this difficult situation. But now is the time to speak up. With Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC at your side, you are not alone. Our Boy Scouts of America sexual abuse attorneys in Pennsylvania can help make sure your voice is heard in a court of law.
If you were abused at the hands of a troop leader or volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America and you are ready to step forward with your story, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We fight for the injured and harmed, and we will fight for your rights.
Call our office at (877) 989-4878 or submit a free online case evaluation form today.
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