Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania Youth Organizations

Youth Organization Abuse In Pennsylvania

Young people in Pennsylvania have grown up with institutions like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, and more.

For generations, our youth have enjoyed the benefits of involvement in such organizations, helping to build community involvement, self-sufficiency and civic-mindedness.

Unfortunately, the nature of these organizations has also made them a target for sexual predators – those who prey on the vulnerabilities of children and who see opportunities to exploit them in a trusting environment.

Those who have been victims of sexual abuse in youth organizations deserve healing, closure and justice – wherever the abuse occurred.

Boy Scouts Of America Sexual Abuse Concerns

The Boy Scouts of America is a great American institution that countless families around Pennsylvania have always looked up to.

So, when news broke in recent years that allegations of sexual abuse and a cascade of lawsuits had the organization filing for bankruptcy, it was a great shock to many.

In times gone by, U.S. organizations were largely shielded from historic abuse claims by statutes of limitations. As more states, including Pennsylvania, recently lifted limitations that prevented victims from coming forward, this has opened up the possibility of attaining the justice they deserve.

Some estimates put liabilities for lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America in excess of a billion dollars nationwide, with thousands of men coming forward across the country.

The organization acknowledges that about 12,000 boys made accusations of sexual abuse while in the Boy Scouts, mainly before the 1990s. Perpetrators were removed from the organization but not always reported to law enforcement- so their identities are unknown to the public.

By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the organization can continue operating and settle all claims in one settlement, depriving abuse victims of their day in court to tell their story.

This is, perhaps, another example of a youth organization protecting its own interests rather than the interests of the children they purport to nurture and care for.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of America Sexual Abuse Concerns

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that was established to develop and nurture young people in 1904.

It is known for its mentoring network, where children aged five and above (“Littles”) are partnered with adult volunteers in their community (“Bigs”).

Despite its good work over the years, the scandal of sexual abuse haunts this organization too, with sexual predators exploiting opportunities to gain access to young victims.

Many of the typical “grooming” behaviors practiced by sexual predators have been facilitated in Big Brothers Big Sisters because of the failure to put effective safeguards in place.

Stringent vetting and supervisory processes for staff and volunteers are necessary for such organizations. Big Brothers Big Sisters frequently failed in these key areas, allowing some sexual predators to gain easy access to their victims.

Claims of child sexual abuse against individuals within the Big Brother Big Sister organization date as far back as the 1980s. In many cases, the leadership was aware that problems existed but did little to investigate them.

As is common with other youth, religious and educational organizations in Pennsylvania, the problem was exacerbated by repeated attempts to cover up accusations of abuse and allow those accused to escape a criminal investigation and punishment.

This policy only serves to facilitate further abuse, which is unacceptable for an organization that parents entrust their children to and which purports to facilitate beneficial interactions between adults and children.