Boy Scouts of America Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The Boy Scouts of America concealed decades of sexual abuse by troop leaders and volunteers. A $2.46 billion settlement trust was established. The filing period for new claims has closed.
The Boy Scouts of America Abuse Scandal
For decades, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) maintained secret internal files — known as the "Ineligible Volunteer" or "perversion" files — documenting thousands of scout leaders and volunteers who had been accused of sexually abusing children in their care. Rather than reporting these individuals to law enforcement, the BSA quietly removed them from their positions while allowing them to move on to other troops, other communities, and other victims.
In February 2020, the BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the face of mounting sexual abuse lawsuits. The bankruptcy process resulted in the establishment of a $2.46 billion settlement trust — one of the largest sexual abuse settlements in U.S. history. The general claims filing deadline for the bankruptcy trust has passed and we are no longer accepting new clients for this litigation.
Filing Period Closed
The courts have closed the general filing period for this litigation. We are no longer accepting new clients for Boy Scouts of America claims. If you have a question about an existing matter, please contact our office.
92,000+
Alleged victims identified
8,000+
Suspected abusers in BSA files
$2.46B
Settlement trust established
The Scale of the Abuse
Internal BSA documents released during the bankruptcy proceedings revealed that the organization had identified more than 92,000 alleged victims and over 8,000 suspected abusers in its files dating back to the 1940s. Experts have described it as one of the largest institutional child sexual abuse scandals in American history — surpassing in documented scope even the Catholic Church abuse crisis.
Abuse occurred across all 50 states and in virtually every type of BSA program — from local Cub Scout packs to regional summer camps to high-adventure programs. Victims ranged in age from young children to teenagers, and many carried the trauma of their abuse for decades before coming forward, often because they feared they would not be believed or because they did not understand that what happened to them was abuse.
Long-Term Impacts on Survivors
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse develop PTSD, experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness that can persist for decades and significantly impair daily functioning.
Depression & Anxiety
Childhood sexual abuse is strongly associated with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and other mood conditions that often require long-term treatment.
Substance Abuse
Survivors frequently turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the psychological pain of abuse. Substance use disorders are significantly more prevalent among survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Relationship & Intimacy Difficulties
Abuse by a trusted authority figure can profoundly damage a survivor's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, establish trust, and experience intimacy throughout their life.
Educational & Career Disruption
The psychological effects of abuse can interfere with concentration, academic performance, and professional development — resulting in lost educational and economic opportunities over a lifetime.
Physical Health Consequences
Research consistently shows that childhood trauma is associated with elevated rates of chronic physical health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain.