Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Group Representing Children Abused In The Boy Scouts Holds News Conference In D.C. WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 06: Attorney Stewart Eisenberg (L) speaks during a press conference held by the Abused in Scouting legal team August 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. The group of lawyers has claimed to have uncovered hundreds of unreported sexual abuse cases in the Boy Scouts of America organization, and filed a lawsuit on yesterday in Pennsylvania. Also pictured (L-R) are attorneys Tim Kosnoff, Josh Schwartz, and Andrew Van Arsdale. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
by Mike James
Over 92,000 sexual abuse claims were filed against the Boy Scouts of America as the November 16 deadline arrived for submitting claims in the organization’s bankruptcy case.
This number is much larger than what was expected from lawyers across the United States who have been signing up clients since the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy protection in February. The lawsuits allege decades-old sex abuse by Scout leaders.
In the filing, the Boy Scouts’ attorneys conceded that predators used the Scouts to access children, and local troops failed to act on all reports of abuse. The Boy Scouts National Chairman Jim Turley apologized to families in an open letter in February.
The proceedings in bankruptcy court will lead to the creation of a compensation fund to pay out settlements to abuse survivors whose claims are upheld. The national organization is expected to contribute a large portion of its assets, which include financial investments and real estate.
The bankruptcy froze hundreds of lawsuits filed in state courts. The Boy Scouts of America had already spent $150 million on settlements and legal defenses from 2017 to 2019. Bankruptcy proceedings are expected to decide the amount of money in the victims’ fund and set payments to verified victims.
Membership numbers for the scouts have declined over the years. At its peak in the 1970s membership rolls reached 4 million. Today membership is about half that. Most of the millions of children who became boy scouts have been positively impacted by the organization. But many of those who were abused have been scarred for life.
The abused boys suffered shame and guilt, and some developed sexually transmitted diseases. As they grew older some suffered from alcoholism, drug addiction, and anger. Many struggled to maintain relationships, according to a team of attorneys called Abused in Scouting, who represent thousands of the survivors nationwide. Regrettably, some of the men committed suicide.
“Who knows how this has affected me in my life? I certainly drink too much, especially now that it’s all coming back up. It’s bringing out things I haven’t talked about or dealt with,” said a 52-year-old electrician from Baltimore County who filed a claim.
The man said he was a shy 11-year-old without a dad at home when he met his scoutmaster. The abuse lasted one year, he says.
Philadelphia-based Child USA analyzed close to 1,600 abuse claims, finding almost 3 in 4 of the victims were abused multiple times. Nearly 1 in 5 suffered abuse by multiple adults. In adulthood, close to 60 percent of survivors reported alcohol or drug abuse. About 76 percent said they had trouble with relationships.
The Scout abuse scandal reminds me of Matthew 7:15, which speaks of false prophets appearing in sheeps’ clothing, but under the surface they are wolves. Wolves look for the weak or the young members of a deer herd because it is easier to make a kill. Children are more susceptible than adults because they have not had the life experiences and judgment to know when something is wrong, especially children who are looking for adult attention and companionship.
Some studies say that up to 93 percent of children who are abused know the person abusing them. About 88 percent of abusers are males, and about 60 percent of abused children do not disclose the abuse.
We have to look out for our children. Jesus Christ had a special place in His heart for children (Luke 16:18). Many children are unaware of what is right and wrong when it comes to sex and touching of their bodies. We can’t be afraid to explain these types of things to our children and make sure they know they can speak to us about anyone who may touch them in an inappropriate manner.
God devotes an entire chapter (Leviticus 18) in the Bible to laws against unlawful sexual relations. The reason He does is because your body and mind are inextricably connected. When harm comes to your body it will affect your mental and emotional outlook. Children are ill equipped mentally and emotionally to deal with things as adults. Greater long-term damage can be done to children who are abused than adults.
In 1 Corinthians 13 we read about the biblical definition of love. Verse 7 tells us love always protects. Let’s make sure we as parents or guardians of children are always in a vigilant mode when it comes to maintaining protection for our children because there are sick wolves out there ready to strike.
Sources:
“Sexual Abuse Claims Near 90,000,” Associated Press in The Washington Post, November 17, 2020.
“Men Tell Stories of Child Sexual Abuse Amid Boy Scouts’ Bankruptcy Claim,” by Tim Prudente (Paul McCardell and Associated Press contributors), Baltimore Sun, in The Washington Post, November 18, 2020.
“The Scope of Child Sexual Abuse Definition and Fact Sheet,” Stop It Now, https://www.stopitnow.org/faq/the-scope-of-child-sexual-abuse-definition-and-fact-sheet.