The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was considered an esteemed organization that aimed to instill good values and morals in young boys to make them upstanding citizens. However, an astonishing toll of 92,700 sexual abuse cases has come forward in which the scoutmasters sexually and violently abused the young boys.

Last year, it was stated by Times that thousands of boys and men reported that they were assaulted or raped in their childhood by the scoutmasters employed by BSA. According to evidence, BSA didn’t do any significant background checks while employing the scoutmasters.

It has also been revealed that the leadership of the organization attempted to put a lid on all the previous Boy Scout lawsuits for several decades. They covered up the tracks of sexual offenders by either transferring or firing them, instead of reporting them to the police.

In February, the mounting Boy Scout lawsuits forced the organization to file for bankruptcy because of the increasing financial strain caused by these lawsuits. The filing of Chapter 11 holds that BSA will re-establish and reorganize the compensation funds of victims.

In response to all the Boy Scout lawsuits, an official statement was also issued by BSA. The BSA officials said that they were deeply shocked and distressed by numerous lives affected by past sexual abuse at the hands of scoutmasters. They also commended the bravery of those victims who finally decided to come forward and report the injustices.

The officials also claimed that they have posed new and strong youth safety policies that will make sure that such unfortunate events won’t take place again.

Why Did the BSA Claim Bankruptcy?

In 2018 when numerous Boy Scout lawsuits came forward, the insurance companies covering BSA started to find it difficult to pay for such huge damages. Those companies refused payments saying that only  BSA was accountable for sexual abuse as they didn’t take necessary steps that could prevent sexual abuse. In February, BSA filed for Chapter 11 when they became burdened by the due lawsuit compensation.

How can BSA’s Claim of Bankruptcy Influence the Victims?

The deadline set by the judge to report any sexual abuse claim against BSA has made survivors’ attorneys run to make it. Even though the pandemic slowed the whole world, still more and more survivors managed to get their Boy Scout lawsuits registered to gain compensation. Many victims who sued BSA are in their 70s, 60s, and 50s, which makes it their sole chance of gaining justice.

After the Boy Scout of America claimed bankruptcy, all past Boy Scout lawsuits were paused. Currently, all new cases are being processed. The assets of Boy Scouts of America are between $1-$10 billion. The division of the group’s assets between claimants will be decided by bankruptcy judges. Those claimants involved insurance companies suing BSA and men abused by scoutmasters.

What will Happen Next?

After the distribution of assets, a ruling will be passed by the judge regarding how BSA will reorganize and establish a compensation fund for victims under the filing of Chapter 11. The same name will be used by the organization for further proceedings. Although 130 million U.S citizens have somehow participated in BSA, but recently the number of BSA’s employees greatly dwindled. Currently, the Boy Scouts have enrolled 2.2 million kids (girls are also being enrolled in BSA now). The organization also publicly pledged that unit activities and meetings, scouting adventures, service projects, and council events will be included in the scouting programs and the organization will continue to function for many upcoming years.

The organization also claimed that they have imposed a multi-faceted safeguard system that includes strict and considerate measures that can prevent sexual abuse. All adult staff and leaders will be thoroughly screened including a check of criminal background. Moreover, any suspicion or allegation of abuse will be promptly reported to the lawful authorities and all youth will be consistently accompanied by 2 adults who are trained to protect them. the children and adults will also not be allowed to do any one-on-one interaction, either via text, online, or in person.

The lawyers representing survivors have also declared that the fight against BSA’s injustice is not finished yet with the bankruptcy declaration. With time, more and more boy scout lawsuits are being filed that show how serious this problem is. The organization will face further consequences regarding regulations and funding.