Update 5:45 p.m. Link to some of the files
I have only read through a handful of the released documents, but the following statement just leaves me speechless: (emphasis mine)
Scout [redacted] was counseled by Reverend Edmond C. Micarelli, the Scout Chaplain for Scouts of Catholic Faith, regarding his participation in this act, with positive results. Upon Father Micarelli's recommendation, the parents were not notified.
Where do I begin. First - this 12 year old little boy, who the night before has been sexually abused by a 24 year old leader is "counseled" because of his PARTICIPATION?? He is a child, being sexually abused by an adult, and
HE is held accountable for
HIS role? And then, of course, in the wisdom of the good Father, the parents aren't even told? Not only do the boy scouts not tell the proper authorities, but they don't even give parents a fighting chance to help their kids!!! What must this have done to this young man?
It's going to be a long couple of days, I'm afraid...This is just so sad. And this is just the tip of the iceberg - what about the last 20+ years? The files of the ACTIVE pedophiles the Boy Scouts are refusing to release?
UPDATE: This Link provides the database to the Map - Just remember, as you scroll down the 5000+ unique identified cases - each one represents at least one child...and these are just the cases until 1991 - the BSA refuse to release the current perversion files...
A Scourge on our Society
One look at this map shows the extent of these "perversion files" - a chilling glimpse at the child sexual abuse and coverup from this one entity -
I have joined with other advocacy groups to make the following statement regarding these perversion files, this release, and the statute of limitations issue (see jpg attached below the fold) which states in part:
“The Boy Scout files, like the Philadelphia Grand Jury Reports on abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the grand jury report on abuse by Jerry Sandusky, document how yet another institution has covered up child sex abuse. They kept records and knew more than anyone else in the country about the recidivism of abusers, yet, they did not go to the authorities. They enabled perpetrators and endangered one child after another. Internal records and investigations are never enough. Nor is sending the perpetrator away, with no notice to the authorities and the next community at risk.
Sadly, the statutes of limitations for the vast majority of the Boy Scout survivors in many states likely have expired, making it difficult to prosecute or sue the perpetrators, or to bring the organization to account for endangering children. The Boy Scout's perversion files are another stark reminder to our elected representatives that laws in many states favor the organization, aid the predator, and put children at risk.
Under the current statute of limitations in many states--which halt criminal prosecution and civil cases long before most victims are ready to come forward -- those who caused the abuse or created the conditions for the abuse are being given a free ride.
The Boy Scouts of America is just the latest organization whose failure to report abuse led to justice denied. Now is the time for every state to look hard at its SOLs and to give child sex abuse victims a chance at justice.”
From the article:
"The Scouts have warned that the release of the files could have a chilling effect on the reporting of alleged abuse. For nearly a century, the Scouts have maintained the national archive, known inside the organization as the “perversion files,” as a way of preventing men suspected of abuse from reentering Scouting."
This is a developing story - the files should be available around 1:30 PST...more to follow
Link to Press Release
2:17 PM PT: Link to the newly released files - More than 1000 alleged abusers named - victims names are redacted. http://documents.latimes.com/...
BSA released a statement "Where those involved in Scouting failed to protect, or worse, inflicted harm on children, we extend our deepest apologies to victims and their families." Wayne Perry BSA President