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National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
- Feature Article - |
EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are a few recent stories and feature articles from a variety of sources that are related to the kinds of issues we cover on our web site. They'll represent a small percentage of the information available to us, the public, as we fight to provide meaningful recovery services and help for those who've suffered child abuse. We'll add to and update this page regularly, bringing you just a few of the featured articles on the web site. |
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Honor and Obey
by Randy Ellison, NAASCA family member
author of: 'Boys Don't Tell: Ending The Silence of Child Abuse'
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On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
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I think those are fantastic goals and worthy of teaching to youth. But what happens when we speak one thing and then do another? For over 100 years Boy Scouts of America has been preaching honor and morality, while attracting thousands of sexual predators. Be honorable, do what I say, but don’t tell anyone what I am doing to you in the tent at night because no one will believe you (or I will kill you).
This is the contrary message thousands of kids have gotten from BSA for over 100 years. The sexual predators have been protected by the organization, and the statute of limitations, until just the last few years. Individual states, realizing the horrors and long-term effects of child abuse, have extended or eliminated the statute of limitations on these crimes. Now a survivor, when they are emotionally ready, can sue their perpetrator and the organization who sponsored them. Finally, justice for the victims, right?
Well…not so fast. Boy Scouts of America, a multi-billion dollar entity is filing bankruptcy so you can no longer file an individual lawsuit. “The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” chief executive Roger Mosby said in a statement.
It is called rape Mr. Mosby, but thanks for the apology.
Let’s fact check that. According to their own record filings, they admit over 7,800 predators have worked for them and victimized over 12,000 boys. On average, offenders have between 1-9 victims and 20% have 10-40 victims, which means their numbers are not even close to the damage that has been done in their name. We also know only a small percentage of offenders become known to authorities, so obviously this is only the tip of the iceberg. Since the lawsuits started, BSA has had to be forced by the courts every step of the way to reveal what they have known was happening since the 1920’s, when they began keeping records known as The Perversion Files.
Thanks to 100’s of studies such as Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACE study we know that childhood trauma brings about medical and emotional issues that last a lifetime. These range from a tendency to risky behaviors to shortened lifespans by as much as 19 years. The impact cannot be overstated. Many experts describe child sex abuse as killing the soul.
Now after losing hundreds of law suits and with hundreds more pending, Boy Scouts of America has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. In layman’s terms that means reorganization to limit their responsibility and exposure to survivors claims. It also keeps them out of the public eye as they are handled by court appointed conservators.
This all comes after 20 years of survivors and advocates working tirelessly to change laws to give survivors of child sex abuse the right to sue their perpetrators and the organizations that sponsored them. Now when we finally have the legal ability to hold them accountable, our corporate rights laws give them a slick way out.
My former attorney and friend Kelly Clark who represented hundreds of survivors in his short life, told me many times he had never had a client who was only motivated by financial compensation. After years of hiding or not being believed they wanted their stories heard and validated. Most also asked for some concession to attempt change to a system that perpetuates continued abuse of children. In one case a client asked for and got the Bishop to come address the church where she was abused and confess. Another got a Bishop to address child abuse of all forms in all their churches in Oregon annually.
If the courts approve this bankruptcy, much of the value that our system has to offer in the way of justice will be reduced to a spreadsheet. Who loses? Survivors seeking justice and a society that desires to protect children. Who wins? A billion dollar corporation that allowed tens of thousands of young boys to be sexually assaulted.
Randy Ellison
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