Thousands of Scout Abuse Survivors Force Accountability
(Delaware, U.S) – Today, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein issued a decision approving the $2.46 billion Chapter 11 reorganization plan for the Boy Scouts of America. The court’s ruling today directly impacts over 80,000 scout abuse survivors.
The amount an individual survivor may receive from the bankruptcy plan ranges dependent on multiple factors relating to the abuse. The funds for the settlement will come from Boy Scouts of America, local councils, insurers, and organizations that have chartered scouting troops and activities, including Catholic institutions and parishes.
On February 17, 2020, the Boy Scouts of America announced its filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. On May 26, 2020, the bankruptcy court set the claims bar date marking the deadline by which all survivors must formally file a claim with the court. All claims had to be filed by November 16, 2020.
Over 80,000 survivors stood up, spoke up, and demanded a measure of accountability by demanding the following:
- First, a payment of $2.46 billion from the Boy Scouts of America.
- A plan to pursue further recovery against non-settling insurance companies.
- The overhaul and creation of rigorous child protection protocols.
- Required disclosures of perils, both past, and present.
“Credit to the courageous survivors that this breakthrough in child and scouting safety has been achieved,” said attorney Jeff Anderson, whose firm represented over 800 Boy Scout abuse survivors.