Boy Scouts of America Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Understanding Boy Scouts Abuse

For more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America was seen as a trusted institution that shaped the lives of millions of boys. But behind the badges of honor and tradition, countless young Scouts were being sexually abused.

The organization now faces one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in U.S. history, with more than 82,000 sexual abuse claims involving over 7,800 former leaders.

Boy Scout lawsuits allege that: 

• BSA leaders and volunteers sexually abused tens of thousands of boys, often during Scouting events, camping trips, or one-on-one interactions
• The organization failed to protect children from known sexual predators
• Leaders maintained internal records known as the “perversion files” for over 100 years to keep track of sexual abusers instead of reporting them to the police
• Many victims were too young or too afraid to speak out when the abuse first occurred, and those who did were often ignored or silenced

Thanks to the brave survivors who have come forward, a landmark $2.46 Billion Boy Scouts of America settlement fund has been established for those harmed due to the organization’s negligence.

If you or someone you love was abused in the Boy Scouts, we’re here to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Even if the abuse happened decades ago, you may still have legal options.

Boy Scout Settlements and Verdicts

The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy amid tens of thousands of sexual abuse claims, and a multibillion-dollar settlement fund was established for survivors. Some former Scouts have also received payouts from jury verdicts and individual BSA lawsuit settlements.

To date, millions of dollars have already been paid out to survivors of sexual abuse, and more payments are ongoing. Find out about key Boy Scout settlement amounts and court verdicts.

$2.46 Billion Boy Scouts Abuse Settlement

After facing thousands of sexual abuse claims, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in 2020. As part of the Chapter 11 proceedings, a $2.46 Billion settlement fund for survivors was proposed.

While the majority of the 82,000 survivors who filed claims voted in favor of the settlement, a small group objected to a provision that would shield third parties like local Scout councils, churches, and insurers from future lawsuits, even if they hadn’t declared bankruptcy.

In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal from these challengers, allowing the historic settlement to move forward.

As of February 2024, more than $8 Million has been paid out to survivors across the country through the Boy Scout settlement trust.

$30 Million United Methodist Church Boy Scout Abuse Settlement

For decades, local churches helped sponsor and run Boy Scout troops across the country. These congregations, including many affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC), often provided meeting spaces and administrative support.

After Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy, UMC agreed to contribute $30 Million to a victim compensation fund, releasing congregations that chartered troops and packs from future legal responsibility related to BSA sexual abuse claims.

$11.8 Million Awarded in Boy Scouts Lawsuit for Abuse & Coverup

In 2015, a Connecticut jury awarded a former Boy Scout $11.8 Million for sexual abuse he suffered in the 1970s at the hands of a youth leader during overnight camping trips.

The jury awarded $7 Million in compensatory damages for emotional harm. A judge later added nearly $5 Million in punitive damages, citing the BSA’s reckless disregard for youth safety and their history of concealing abuse allegations.

$20 Million Verdict in Oregon Boy Scouts Abuse Lawsuit

In 2010, an Oregon jury ordered the Boy Scouts of America to pay $19.9 Million to a man who was sexually abused by an assistant Scout leader in the early 1980s.

The plaintiff was just 12 years old when he was repeatedly molested by Timur Dykes, a known offender who continued to have access to Scouts even after the organization received complaints about his misconduct.

The case gained national attention for exposing the BSA’s internal “perversion files,” which were used to track suspected abusers. Jurors were shown roughly 1,000 files, which revealed a pattern of allowing predators to remain in contact with children.

List of Boy Scout Leaders Accused of Abuse

Over the past several decades, thousands of Boy Scout leaders, volunteers, and other affiliated adults have been accused of sexually abusing children during their time with the organization.

In recent years, portions of these files have been made public through sexual abuse lawsuits, court orders, and investigations, revealing the scale of abuse that was allowed to continue unchecked.

The Boy Scouts abuse list includes:

• Boy Scout Troop 137 in New Orleans: In the 1970s, police uncovered a pedophile ring operating within the troop, where out-of-town abusers allegedly flew in to sexually abuse boys.
• Carlos Acevedo: After raping a 12-year-old boy and prostituting him on 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York, Acevedo is serving life in prison. The survivor, who's now in his 60s, says he was sexually assaulted thousands of times.
• Matthew Baker: A former Scout leader in Missouri, Baker was sentenced to life in prison after molesting boys as young as 8. He allegedly attempted to have some of them killed to keep them from speaking out.
• Thomas Daleske: This Boy Scouts volunteer was found dead in prison, where he was serving 45 years for abusing 6 boys.
• Timur Dykes: A former assistant Scoutmaster in Oregon, Dykes admitted to molesting at least 17 boys and continued working with the Scouts even after confessing to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop. He was later convicted multiple times for child sexual abuse.
• Darrell Fisher: After using his position as a Scout leader to sexually assault boys, Fisher received an 18-year prison sentence. He allegedly forced Scouts to change a soiled diaper he wore.
• James Glawson: A former Boy Scout Catholic chaplain, Glawson is serving 40 years for sexually assaulting 6 boys, one of whom was developmentally disabled.
• Thomas Hacker: This convicted sex offender was allowed to rejoin the Boy Scouts in Illinois in the 1980s despite a prior conviction in the 1970s. He went on to sexually abuse more boys, including a 10-year-old Scout in Chicago’s suburbs. He's serving two 50-year prison terms.
• David Kress: A former Scout leader, Kress was accused of giving young boys alcohol, showing them pornography, assaulting them, and threatening them not to speak out about the abuse. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Ronald Rowcliffe: Multiple Boy Scouts claimed Rowcliffe grabbed their genitals while helping them with their shooting stances. He pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.
• Tom and Raymond Woodall: As leaders of Troop 137 in New Orleans, they're accused of operating a pedophile ring within the Boy Scouts.

This list is only a small fraction of those accused of abusing children within the Boy Scouts of America. While many survivors have bravely come forward, countless others may still be suffering in silence.

“They hung us out to dry and took these pedophiles and put them on the street and didn’t tell anyone about it. That’s despicable.”
– R.W., Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Survivor

Boy Scout Lawsuit Update 2025

As of 2025, the fallout from decades of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America continues to unfold.

Following the organization’s bankruptcy and the creation of a $2.46 Billion settlement fund, thousands of survivors are finally starting to receive long-awaited compensation.

Although the BSA has officially exited bankruptcy, ongoing legal developments continue to shape the path forward for both survivors and the organization.

Find out how the Boy Scout abuse lawsuit has progressed over the years:

• 1910: Boy Scouts of America is founded. The same year, they begin maintaining internal records of suspected abusers, later known as the “perversion files.”
• March 1994: Journalist Patrick Boyle publishes Scout’s Honor, a groundbreaking book exposing abuse in Scouting. His reporting draws from approximately 2,000 internal BSA files and calls for their public release to promote transparency and reform.
• April 2010: A jury orders the Boy Scouts of America to pay $18.5 Million in a Portland, Oregon sexual abuse lawsuit involving assistant troop leader Timur Dykes. It's one of the first cases to introduce the BSA’s secret files in court.
• September 2012: The Oregon Supreme Court orders the release of about 20,000 pages of BSA files from 1965 to 1985. The ruling follows a nearly $20 Million verdict against the organization.
• January 2013: The BSA hires Dr. Janet Warren, a University of Virginia psychiatry professor, to review and improve their list of banned volunteers. She previously authored a 2012 report on 1,200 abuse-related files introduced in a 2010 Oregon lawsuit.
• February 2020: The Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy in response to sexual abuse lawsuits involving thousands of survivors.
• July 2021: The BSA proposes an $850 Million settlement with more than 60,000 survivors of sexual abuse. It's the first major legal agreement in the case and the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history at the time.
• March 2023: A federal judge in Delaware upholds a finalized $2.46 Billion Boy Scout lawsuit settlement, allowing the organization to move forward with their bankruptcy reorganization plan. Insurance companies and religious groups also contributed to the deal.
• April 2023: The BSA officially emerges from bankruptcy and announces they will begin distributing compensation from the court-approved Boy Scout Settlement Trust to more than 82,000 abuse survivors.
• February 2024: The U.S. Supreme Court clears the way for the BSA’s sexual abuse settlement to proceed, rejecting a request to pause the deal. The plan protects third parties like churches, local councils, and insurers from future lawsuits through a controversial bankruptcy mechanism.
• February 2025: The Boy Scouts of America announces that it will change its name to Scouting America as part of its rebranding efforts following their sexual abuse scandal.
• June 2025: The cost of compensating survivors of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America has exceeded $7 Billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. This is more than twice the amount originally estimated in the organization’s bankruptcy plan.
• July 2025: A lawsuit is pending against approximately 90 insurance companies that haven’t contributed to the Boy Scouts settlement. Successful litigation could increase the total funds available to survivors.

The Boy Scouts of America lawsuit is one of the largest sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. After decades of silence and institutional denial, survivors are finally getting the justice they deserve.

Even with BSA compensation payouts underway, the fight for healing and accountability continues.

How to File a Boy Scouts of America Lawsuit

At Sokolove Law, we understand how difficult it can be to speak out after experiencing sexual abuse, especially when the person who hurt you was a trusted Scout leader or volunteer.

Our team is here to stand by your side and help you move forward. We can guide you through the legal process with care and compassion, so you can focus on your healing while we fight for the justice you deserve.

Our Boy Scout lawsuit lawyers may be able to:

• Provide a free case review to help you understand your legal rights and options
• Collect evidence like Scout records, medical files, and witness statements
• File your Boy Scouts lawsuit against the abuser, the BSA, and any parties that enabled the abuse
• Negotiate a Boy Scouts settlement with the defendant(s)
• Represent you in court if needed and seek compensation from a trial verdict

What happened to you wasn’t your fault, and you’re not alone. Our team is committed to making the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

If you have questions, we’re here to listen, help you explore your legal options, and allow you to move forward with confidence when you're ready.

Deadline to File a Boy Scout Lawsuit

Laws known as statutes of limitations set deadlines for how long you have to take legal action for sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts. These time limits vary depending on the state where the abuse occurred.

If the abuse happened many years ago or the person responsible is no longer alive, you may still have legal options. Our sexual abuse attorneys can help you understand your rights and whether you’re still eligible to file.

Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Statistics

The scope of sexual abuse connected to the Boy Scouts of America is staggering. During the organization’s bankruptcy proceedings, tens of thousands of survivors came forward with claims of sexual abuse, a number that reflects decades of systemic failure.

Sexual abuse of boys is one of the least-reported crimes due to feelings of shame and the tactics molesters use during the grooming process. As a result, the actual number of victims may be even higher than current data shows.

Key Statistics on Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse:

• Over 82,000 Boy Scout claims for sexual abuse were filed in the bankruptcy case, making it one of the largest abuse scandals in U.S. history.
• A $2.46 Billion Boy Scouts settlement trust was approved for survivors.
• More than 7,800 leaders sexually abused children over a 72-year period, according to the BSA’s internal records and court testimony.
• From 1944 through 2016, the Boy Scouts identified over 12,000 alleged victims of abuse.
• About half of the men accused of sexual abuse didn’t have children involved in Scouting, raising serious concerns about their reasons for involvement, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• In over 40% of cases, perpetrators abused multiple victims, suggesting the abuse was part of a pattern of behavior.
• In a study of 500 abuse cases where Boy Scout leaders were the first to learn of the abuse, 80% were not reported to authorities.
• In about 100 of those cases, there was evidence of active cover-ups, including misleading parents and helping abusers avoid consequences.

These statistics reveal the horrifying scale of the abuse that took place and the organizational failures that enabled it. The Boy Scouts’ internal handling of allegations allowed predators to remain in positions of power for years, often at the expense of children’s safety.

“That was probably the biggest hurt I had, because they sent us into the lion’s den. They exposed us, knowingly, willingly.”
– R.H., Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Survivor

The scale of abuse and cover-ups within the Boy Scouts reveals a tragic failure of responsibility that allowed generations of children to suffer in silence.

Where Does Boy Scout Sex Abuse Occur?

Sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America has occurred across the country and in nearly every type of Scouting environment. Abuse often took place in settings where adults were alone with children and supervision was virtually nonexistent.

Boy Scout sexual abuse has taken place: 

• In churches or community centers where meetings and events were hosted
• During overnight camping and fishing trips
• At the home of troop leaders
• In remote or wooded areas during hikes and outdoor activities

In many cases, abuse occurred over months or even years without detection. Some reports describe adults disguising their actions as “sex education” to manipulate and exploit young Scouts.

Some of the most severe abuse occurred within trusted institutions like churches that chartered Scout troops but failed to act on warning signs. Although the Mormon Church broke ties with the group in 2018, they were previously one of the BSA's largest sponsors.

How the Boy Scouts of America Handles Sexual Abuse Cases

The Boy Scouts of America has been under fire for decades over their handling of abuse allegations. Internal documents and survivor testimony have revealed a pattern of concealment that allowed predators to access vulnerable youth.

The BSA has been accused of:

• Allowing alleged abusers to quietly resign or remain active in Scouting roles, putting more children at risk
• Maintaining secret internal records known as the “ineligible volunteer files,” “perversion files,” or "red files" to track suspected abusers instead of reporting them to authorities
• Prioritizing their reputation over the safety of youth members

"For decades, this problem has really been kept in the dark — and you can understand why. Organizations are not going to broadcast that they have child molesters in their ranks."
– Patrick Boyle, Investigative Journalist & Author of Scout's Honor

While the BSA has since introduced new safety policies, like mandatory background checks for adult volunteers and abuse prevention training, these changes came far too late for thousands of children who were harmed.

For many, legal action has become a way to hold the organization accountable for failing to act sooner.

Seek Justice from a Boy Scouts Lawsuit

The Boy Scouts of America failed to protect the very children they promised to serve. Despite maintaining secret files on suspected abusers, the organization often allowed known predators to stay involved with local troops, putting thousands of boys at risk.

At Sokolove Law, we're committed to holding the Boy Scouts accountable for the harm they enabled. We’re here to listen and support you in your fight for justice.

Our Boy Scout sexual abuse lawyers:

• Can help survivors in all 50 states
• Don't charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
• Have secured over $10 Billion total for clients harmed through no fault of their own

Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our contact form for a free case review. Now is your chance to be heard and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Boy Scouts Molestation Lawsuit FAQs