New York Boy Scout Abuse Attorneys
Were you or your child the victim of sexual abuse while you were a member of the Boy Scouts? You should not be afraid of stepping forward to make sure that the perpetrator in your case is held fully accountable.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) claimed in its 2017 Report to the Nation that the organization had over 2.3 million youth participants and almost 1 million adult volunteers that year. BSA said it served 1,245,882 boys five years of age to 10 years of age in Cub Scouting, and 834,124 boys 11 years of age to 17 years of age in Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting.
While BSA has a long and storied tradition of providing wholesome exercises and activities for young men, it also has a troubling history of sexual abuse within its ranks. Many other high-profile cases in recent years have called greater attention to the extent of this problem, how much BSA knew, and how many victims there were.
Hach & Rose, LLP represents sexual abuse victims all over New York, and we have extensive experience helping those who were taken advantage of by those they trusted while in the Boy Scouts of America. Our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys will be ready to listen to your story and help you get the answers and justice that you deserve. Our consultations are always free and completely confidential, so call us at (212) 779-0057 today.
Do I Need A Boy Scout Abuse Lawyer?
When you have been the victim of a sex abuse crime while in Boy Scouts, you could have the right to file a lawsuit against the BSA.
A lawyer will be able to build your case by conducting a thorough independent investigation. Not only might the attorney obtain evidence needed to prove the abuse, but they could also uncover other damaging information to suggest that BSA either knew about or should have known the offender would be a risk in a supervisory role.
The BSA does not automatically offer settlements, however. The organization may aggressively claim that abuse did not occur, or that it is not liable for the abuse. You will want an experienced lawyer by your side who can best ensure that you can get the justice you deserve, and help send a strong message that this type of treatment will not be tolerated. It’s our goal to get you a measure of justice and help recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life and put this terrible ordeal behind you, once and for all.
Why Choose Hach & Rose, LLP To Handle My Case?
Hach & Rose, LLP has been helping sexual abuse victims for more than 30 years. We have a record of success that includes several multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Stanley J. Spero has more than four decades of experience and has received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer rating denoting the highest level of professional excellence. Hillary M. Nappi was named a 2018-2019 Super Lawyers Metro Rising Star and one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Attorneys” by National Trial Lawyers.
Michael Rose has also been rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and was inducted as a lifetime Charter Member of Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America. Halina Radchenko is an officer of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the Brooklyn Bar Association, Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, Columbian Lawyers Association, New York County Lawyers Association, and the New York State Bar Association.
John Blyth is admitted to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Our combined experience makes us a top firm choice. We are so confident in our ability to secure you the compensation you deserve that Hach & Rose, LLP handles cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to pay anything unless you obtain a monetary award.
Types of Boy Scout Abuse Cases We Handle
The signs may be subtle, but there are several that suggest a child may have been sexually abused. Parents should look for warning signs of abuse such as:
- Nightmares or other unexplained sleep problems
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
- Sudden mood swings
- Bed-wetting after having outgrown such behaviors
- Reluctance to remove clothing
- Distracted or distant behaviors
- New and unusual fears of people or places
- Touching other children inappropriately
In some cases, signs of sexual abuse may include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or signs of trauma to genital regions. The type of abuse your child may have been the victim of can vary depending on the offender and the circumstances involved.
The Olean Times Herald reported on July 20, 2005, that former Portville Central School teacher and long-time Boy Scout leader James Molyneaux was found guilty of two counts of first-degree sodomy, two counts of second-degree sodomy, and one count of first-degree sexual abuse. The jury found him guilty of having sex with an 11-year-old boy in an upstairs bathroom of his home in September of 2000 and orally assaulting a 13-year-old boy in a tent on the family campground in July of 1997. The State of New York Court of Appeals declined to review Molyneaux’s conviction after he was sentenced to 17 ½ to 23 years in the Clinton Correctional Facility.
In May 2002, former Manhattan Scoutmaster Jerrold Schwartz pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree sodomy for molesting a teenager in 1996. He was sentenced to up to eight years in prison but was released from Oneida Correctional Facility after serving a little more than five years of his term.
If you believe you or your child have been the victim of any of these or other types of sexual abuse while in Boy Scouts, Hach & Rose, LLP can help you seek justice.
What are the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection policies?
The Youth Protection program was developed by BSA in the 1980s to address concerns about sexual abuse. Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers. It is a joining requirement and must be taken every two years. The “three R’s” of BSA’s Youth Protection program are to Recognize that anyone could be an abuser, Respond when someone is doing something that goes against your gut or the safety guidelines, and Report attempted or actual abuse or any activity that you think is wrong to a parent or other trusted adult. The program also institutes a “two-deep” leadership policy which states that all outings require two registered leaders, or one registered leader and a parent. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. Corporal punishment and hazing are also prohibited.
How and where do I report child sexual abuse?
Reports of suspected child abuse or maltreatment should be made immediately by telephone to the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. You will be asked to provide as much information as possible about the suspected abuse. You may be asked about both the child and the offender, as well as injuries.
How will the Child Victims Act impact my case?
The Child Victims Act (CVA), or Senate Bill S2440, establishes that the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of a sexual offense committed against a child does not begin to run until the child turns 23 years of age. It also provides that a civil action for conduct constituting a sexual offense against a child can be brought until the child turns 55 years of age. Before the CVA was passed, victims only had one to five years. The CVA also creates a one-year “look back” period that allows some people to file claims after their limitation periods have expired.
Boy Scout Abuse Statistics
ABC News reported in April 2019 that up to 7,819 allegedly sexually abusive troop leaders allegedly abused 12,254 victims. According to ABC, 130 of the perpetrators were in New York and could face legal repercussions because of the CVA.
The Washington Times reported in 1991 that at least 1,151 Scouts reported being abused by their leaders over the prior 19 years, which made sex abuse more common in Scouting than accidental deaths and serious injuries combined. Also, an average of at least 21 male Scout leaders and camp workers were banned from Scouting or arrested for sexual misconduct with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorers every year between 1971 and 1989.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a review of internal Scout records showed that the BSA failed to report accusations to authorities and also hid the allegations from parents and the public in “hundreds of cases.” There were also over 125 cases in which men continued to molest Scouts after the organization was first presented with charges of abuse.
Contact a Boy Scout Abuse Attorney in New York Today
If you or your child were the victim of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts, you need to know that you deserve compassion and to have your voice heard. Let Hach & Rose, LLP help you get the justice you deserve and seek full compensation from those who harmed you or stood by while abuse occurred. We’re here to help you rebuild your life, and we’re ready to send a message to those who abuse or allowed others to abuse children under their supervision. Call us at (212) 779-0057 to schedule a free and 100% confidential consultation at (212) 779-0057 today.