The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy. What happens next?
The Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday as the national organization faces mounting costs from lawsuits over hundreds of cases alleging child sex abuse.
The organization says local scouting councils, which run the individual troops, are not part of the bankruptcy filing and will continue to operate scouting programs. The 110-year-old nonprofit says it wants to create a fund to compensate abuse victims.
“The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” BSA President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Mosby said in a statement.
“While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process — with the proposed Trust structure — will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA’s important mission.”
In an open letter to victims, the national chair for the organization, Jim Turley, /said, “The national organization of the Boy Scouts of America has initiated a voluntary financial restructuring to ensure we can equitably compensate all victims of past abuse in our programs, through a proposed Victim’s Compensation Trust.”
“I encourage you, and all victims to come forward and file claims so you can receive compensation from this Trust. We will provide clear notices about how to do so,” he said.
Local troops will continue
Local scouting councils are separate and financially independent from the Boy Scouts of America and are not part of the bankruptcy, according to the organization.
“Scouting programs, including unit meetings and activities, council events, other Scouting adventures and countless service projects, will continue throughout this process and for many years to come,” the BSA said in a statement.
“The BSA fully intends to maintain its commitments to its members, families, volunteer leaders, employees, retirees, donors and alumni to the fullest extent permitted by bankruptcy laws. The organization also will pay its vendors and partners for all goods and services delivered from today forward,“ the organization said.
Protecting scouts from abuse
Since the extent of the accusations over child sex abuse in scouting came to light, the Boy Scouts of America says it has developed a program to help keep children and teens safe.
“Scouting will continue to provide unparalleled programs to young people — keeping them safe, supported and protected as it prepares them for their futures. The BSA today has some of the strongest, expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization,” the Boy Scouts said in a statement.
The organization said it now has mandatory background checks for all volunteers and bans all one-on-one interactions between scouts and volunteers, including by phone, online and in person. All volunteers are required to go through a child safety training every two years.
The organization said any volunteers are required to report suspected abuse to police and the BSA will remove anyone who has been accused of abuse immediately.
