Suit against Boy Scouts says new abuse claims uncovered (BSA considering bankruptcy)

Lawyers bringing a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America said Tuesday they believe they've turned up allegations of sexual abuse against more than 350 people not previously identified in files released by the organization.

Attorneys with the Abused in Scouting group filed a lawsuit Monday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, alleging a one-time scout leader sexually abused a minor identified only by initials.

The suit alleges that the abuse of the then-12- or 13-year-old victim by an assistant scout leader started around 1974 or 1975 and continued until about 1980.

It also says that the lawyers received allegations of abuse from their clients against more than 350 people involved with the scouts who had not previously been named.

The Irving, Texas-based scouts compiled so-called ineligible volunteer files for years on people considered to pose a risk of abuse, and about 5,000 of these files have been made public as a result of court action.

Monday's suit is claiming that the lawyers now have hundreds of names that were not in those public files. It does not list the names.

"It is apparent that the Boy Scouts Defendants continue to hide the true nature of their cover-up and the extent of the pedophilia epidemic within their organizations," the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit comes as states have begun changing their statutes of limitations to make it easier for long-ago victims of sexual assault can seek damages in court.

The Boy Scouts have said previously that when any volunteer is added to the database for suspected abuse, "they are reported to law enforcement, removed entirely from any Scouting and prohibited from re-joining anywhere."

The sexual abuse settlements have begun to strain the Boy Scouts' finances to the point where the organization has said it's exploring "all available options," including Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In my experience, when Catholics in this forum have made the distinction between a "pedophile problem" and a "homosexal abuse problem," the purpose is not to minimize the latter. The purpose is to show that the problem is actually bigger than many people know.

Pedophilia, properly termed as such, is horrendous. Period. The sexual abuse of a prepubescent child by priests, however, is extremely rare, affecting only 0.3% of the entire population of clergy (according to Penn State and Baylor criminal justice expert Philip Jenkins -- who is BTW not a Catholic).

The vast majority of recorded or accused abuse --- upwards of 80% --- is with "youths" (post-puberty), or to conceptualize it another way, with middle-schoolers and high-schoolers.

That's the stuff that's ((legally) reportable because it involves sexual contact with a minor.

Morally, it's as totally unacceptable as the sexual molestation of a young child.

Nobody is minimizing the "youth" or "young adult" problem. On the contrary, we're saying "that's just as bad, and BIGGER."

Add to this, making it MUCH bigger yet, the problem of priests having sexual relations which may be technically legal (over 16 to 18 years old depending on the state). That's, as I said, involves even larger numbers of clergym yet it often entirely escapes the purview of the law, because the the young male involved is not a minor and may have legally consented.

All of this, every bit of it, is a stench in the nostrils of God, who IS the ultimate Judge and who WILL bring a terrible judgment.

Tagline.

What is totally ignored is how it is that children brought up in the 'church' would find themselves in bed with a 'holy father'. They were groomed for such purpose... thus the 'abuse' began prior to confirmation.

Again exactly to whom would a prepubescent report 'abuse'...? Chances are they have NO clue they are being groomed for future acts. What stinks to high heaven is a man calling himself 'holy father', taking advantage of anyone. It is impossible to state with a certainty that 'only' 0.3% of the entire population of the clergy abuse children. What is NOT mentioned, is how the 'post-puberty' kids ended up in bed with the 'holy fathers'. (fig leaves)

The vast majority of recorded or accused abuse --- upwards of 80% --- is with "youths" (post-puberty), or to conceptualize it another way, with middle-schoolers and high-schoolers.

Again, 'recorded or accused abuse'...

That's the stuff that's ((legally) reportable because it involves sexual contact with a minor.

The process of determining who will be acceptable prey begins early in the child's life... these priests know everything they need to know about each and every 'family'... who is vulnerable and touchable. What is twisted is the 'powers that be' allowed these fake perverts priests, to continue to have access to children.

Morally, it's as totally unacceptable as the sexual molestation of a young child.

Ahhh, God calls 'homosexuality' an abomination... and Christ did address messing with children.

Nobody is minimizing the "youth" or "young adult" problem. On the contrary, we're saying "that's just as bad, and BIGGER."

I disagree. Why? Because of the overt steps taken to publicly claim the Catholic priests are not into the children, they are just 'homosexual'. How did those 'children' after confirmation turn out 'homosexual'?

The 'law' you say... legal, we are discussing the 'church', which makes claims of being the oldest, biggest, 'bride of Christ'... as IF nobody comes to the Heavenly Father but through some 'priest'.

How many Catholics on the Supreme Court declared our Constitution gives a 'right' to same sex marriage..?

All of this, every bit of it, is a stench in the nostrils of God, who IS the ultimate Judge and who WILL bring a terrible judgment.

Yes, as Jesus said 'Remember Lot's wife'.

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