100,000 complaints of sexual abuse US scouting: ‘Perfect place for pedophiles’ | Abroad

“95,000 complaints have been filed,” said Paul Moses, a lawyer acting on behalf of several victims. That figure exceeds the number of complaints of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. “To our knowledge, there are 11,000 complaints about the Catholic Church worldwide,” said Andrew van Arsdale, also a lawyer who assists victims of abuse.

Oath

“It is by far the largest abuse scandal in the United States,” said lawyer Moses. He says Scouting has long been “a perfect petri dish” for pedophiles. “Little boys take an oath of allegiance and are away from their parents in the wilderness.”

“We are appalled by the number of people who have suffered the abuse that has taken place at the Scouts and are touched by the courage of those who broke the silence,” Boy Scouts of America (BSA) said in a statement, excluding the total number. to confirm complaints.

“We had voluntarily opened an easily accessible procedure to help victims claim compensation. Their reactions are heartbreaking and we are sincerely sorry, ”the organization added. Founded in 1910, Boy Scouts of America has approximately 2.2 million members between the ages of 5 and 21.

–