Boy Scouts of America Finally Meets Consequences
Sexual abuse and sexual harassment are choices. Choices, especially those that are unethical, inevitably lead to consequences. Time is of no matter.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), once held up as the standard of moral, upright and reverent behavior was recently sued by several former scouts for abuse that goes back decades. Two things become immediately – and painfully clear in this scandal: no matter the public position of an organization, it can hide many dirty secrets unless ethical behavior is in play. The second issue, quite important, is that the #MeToo movement has always needed to be more inclusive to include boys and young men. Many experts believe sexual harassment of males has gone under-reported for far too long.
Decades Later
In January 2020, decades after eight men were sexually abused by leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization was accused of “failing to provide a safe environment.” The eight represent the tip of another iceberg, following other lawsuits earlier in 2019. In fact, the potential impact of the lawsuits is so severe the BSA might have to consider bankruptcy.
What is also meaningful about this case is that it is forcing the legal system to expand the time frame in which sexual harassment and sexual abuse cases can be adjudicated.
The cases appear to be heading to the United States District Court in Washington, D.C. even though the alleged abuse did not take place there. Apparently, none of the men had opportunities to file legal action in their home states which also calls for at least, an ethical discussion.
The lawyer for the victims stated:
“We want survivors in states that don’t have window statutes to have some measure of justice. We certainly don’t look at this as one and done.”
The eight men are from Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida and Texas, and the cases go back as early as 1992. The eight men are among more than 1,551 who suffered sexual abuse from Boy Scout leaders when they were as young as 8 years-old.
As part of the lawsuit, it is claimed that the BSA allowed abuse and cover-up to happen and that the BSA displayed “negligent, willful, wanton, reckless and tortious acts and omissions.”
One Thing is Clear
As the scandal has continued to unfold, the lawsuit pointed out a cover-up that obscures “the extent of the pedophilia epidemic within their organization.” One thing is clear and that is the BSA enabled sexual predators within their organization because oversite was absent.
It goes without saying, that the predation caused deep psychological scarring to occur and, quite honestly, many of these now grown men have not fully recovered from the trauma. How do you ever fully compensate the victims for predation? How are they compensated for what was done to them?
The pedophiles within the BSA had the opportunity to prey upon defenseless boys, many of whom had no recourse. Indeed, it mirrors many aspects of what occurred within the Catholic church and the clergy. People in power were able to exercise their needs on those who were told to remain silent.
Should sexual harassment and abuse training be required of adult in such positions? Of course. However, to do so breaks up the distorted rationalization that the leaders fully reflect the traditional view of the BSA and its positioning in terms of moral, upright and reverent behavior.
It is time, past time, for the BSA to hold their leaders to a much higher standard.
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