Boy Scouts Abuse Numbers Jump Higher Than Realized
In a shocking turn of events, the Boy Scouts of America have been hit with a much heavier toll than previously thought. A New York lawyer reported that more than 12,000 Scouts have suffered sexual abuse since 1944—a figure that ranks higher than earlier estimates.
The Audit That Brought the Numbers to Light
According to a recent court case in Minnesota, the organization’s “perversion files” – a list of scoutmasters subjected to allegations – now show:
- Over 12,000 victims identified
- More than 7,800 alleged perpetrators filed
- Approximately 5,000 files were originally counted
That means the known perpetrators number is roughly 50% higher than the old count. And nobody has ever actually made these names public.
Why This Matters
Beyond the raw numbers, the revelation is a sobering reminder that the Boy Scouts of America once institution—founded in 1910 with 2.4 million members—has had a system that hid real harm. New York’s recent shift on the statute of limitations encourages anyone who feels they’ve been victimized to speak up.
Official Response
“We deeply care about all victims of child sex abuse and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed,” the organization declared. “We will support them with unlimited counseling from a provider of their choice. We’re outraged by any abuse that took place in our programs because protecting children is our top priority.”
Bringing a Human Touch to a Grim Story
It’s hard to imagine someone telling a story about being abused while also holding a Scouts sash. The data should serve as a wake‑up call, as a reminder that all organizations—no matter their size or age—must be held accountable. Let’s hope the new figures catalyze the sharing of names and the safe, honest conversation that’s long overdue.
