Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Attorney
For survivors of child sexual abuse, the trauma can feel overwhelming, especially when the abuse took place in environments meant to foster trust, community, and personal growth in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Parents often entrust their children to organizations like the BSA, believing these spaces to be safe. When that trust is violated, the pain and betrayal can feel insurmountable.

The Boy Scouts of America has long been aware that its organization is a target for pedophiles seeking employment and volunteer opportunities, particularly to be close to young boys.
This is a pervasive issue in Los Angeles County and across California, and the BSA bears a significant responsibility. For many years, the BSA has maintained internal files documenting allegations of sexual abuse by scout leaders and other volunteers.
However, recent changes, such as the introduction of criminal background checks for volunteers and policies mandating the reporting of suspected abuse to the police, demonstrate a commitment to preventing future abuse.
Despite the implementation of new policies, the sexual abuse of scouts remains a significant and ongoing problem. The Boy Scouts have been at the center of one of the largest child sexual abuse scandals in United States history.
After years of legal battles and public outcry, the Boy Scouts reached a historic $850 million settlement in 2021 to compensate tens of thousands of survivors reporting patterns of abuse spanning decades.
While this settlement acknowledges the suffering of survivors, many individuals have yet to step forward. Whether out of fear, shame, or concern that too much time has passed, some survivors remain silent.
It's important to know this silence does not mean justice is out of reach. At the Injury Justice Law Firm, we are committed to helping survivors of child sexual abuse hold perpetrators accountable. The legal system is a powerful tool that can provide survivors with the validation and support they need.
The path to healing is deeply personal, but legal action can provide empowerment, accountability, and financial support for recovery. If your child has been sexually abused while participating in Boy Scouts, take action immediately and contact our California sexual abuse attorneys for a free case review.
How Does Sexual Abuse Occur in the Boy Scouts?
Sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts often occurs when predators manipulate positions of trust and authority. Scout leaders, volunteers, and adult participants are granted access to children through camping trips, overnight events, and one-on-one mentoring.
These opportunities, while designed to foster growth and learning, can create isolated environments where abuse is more likely to occur.
Abusers in organizations like the Boy Scouts use grooming tactics to gain the trust of both the child and their family. This grooming may include:
- Singling out one child for special attention,
- Building emotional dependencies or
- Blurring boundaries under the guise of mentorship.
Once trust is established, perpetrators may exploit these relationships, causing unimaginable harm. Decades of documented incidents reveal that the Boy Scouts failed to safeguard children adequately.
For years, leadership ignored warning signs, withheld reports of abuse, and allowed individuals with prior allegations to remain in positions of power. This systemic negligence enabled predators to operate unchecked, creating a widespread pattern of harm.
What are the Signs of Sexual Abuse?
Recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse and intervening early can stop the abuse sooner rather than later.
If you notice any changes in your child's physical or emotional well-being, it's crucial to seek the help of the appropriate medical professionals and contact our Boy Scout sexual abuse lawyers immediately. Taking action early can make a significant difference in the survivor's recovery journey.
Suppose you notice any differences in your child's physical or emotional well-being. In that case, you should seek the help of the appropriate medical professionals and contact our sexual abuse lawyers immediately. Some of the signs of sexual abuse you should watch for include the following:
- Behavioral changes. If you notice your child's behavior changing, he might be a victim of abuse and too afraid to tell you. Emotional clues will almost always also occur, so don't ignore anything, even if it seems to be a minor change.
- Anxiety and fear. Changes in your child's behavior often include developing a sudden fear, anxiety, or phobias and include trouble sleeping and having nightmares, withdrawing from friends and family, and hyperactivity.
- Poor school performance. Your child may experience decreased school performance, poor concentration, and regressive behavior.
- Depression. Your child might develop eating issues, depression, fear of adults, self-harm, becoming destructive and sexualized behavior.
- Substance abuse. You might also notice signs such as substance abuse and becoming physically or verbally abusive. They could become destructive, refusing to undress and flinching or being afraid of someone touching them.
- Sex abuse symptoms. Your child may also exhibit symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, abnormal weight changes, difficulty walking or sitting, genital discomfort, and painful urination or defecation. Other symptoms may include lacerations, facial injuries, head injuries, intra-abdominal trauma, discharge or bleeding from the rectal area, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Physical clues. Some of the physical clues often seen in sexual abuse situations include poor hygiene, fractures and dislocations, bruising, dressing inappropriately for the weather, defensive injuries, bites, burns, and unexplained marks.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Sexual Abuse on Survivors?
Child sexual abuse leaves deep scars visible and unseen- and its impact can extend well into adulthood. Survivors often wrestle with feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame, even though they bear no responsibility for the harm inflicted upon them. These emotional burdens can hinder relationships, self-esteem, and trust.
Common long-term effects of sexual abuse include:
- Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts.
- Difficulty with intimacy and personal relationships, often caused by the loss of trust or emotional detachment.
- Physical health issues, including chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, or sleep disorders stemming from prolonged stress and trauma.
- Educational and career struggles, as trauma may affect learning, focus, and workplace relationships.
Every survivor's experience is unique, and healing looks different for everyone. While therapy and support systems can provide critical tools for recovery, the opportunity to hold those responsible accountable can also bring closure and a renewed sense of agency.
Pursuing legal action validates a survivor's experience and plays a crucial role in preventing similar harm to others.
What Types of Damages Can Be Sought?
If you suspect abuse, you should have your child examined by a doctor. Taking photos of physical injuries and documenting mental health and symptoms can also help you recover damages.
To recover damages, you will have to file a civil case. You could recover compensation for medical expenses, including psychological therapy, doctors' visits, surgeries, prescriptions, and other medical expenses. You could also recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and loss of companionship.
If you or your child is a survivor of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts, legal action can help cover losses and damages sustained.
Civil claims allow survivors to seek compensation from those responsible, which may include not only the individual perpetrator but also the Boy Scouts organization and/or any third parties involved in enabling the abuse. Types of damages that may be awarded include:
- Economic damages: These cover calculable financial losses such as therapy costs, medical bills, and lost wages due to the impact of abuse on schooling or work.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages address the psychological and emotional toll of abuse. Courts consider impacts such as pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and emotional distress.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages may sometimes be awarded to punish the liable party for extreme negligence or egregious misconduct.
California Survivors Can Seek Justice Without Time Restrictions
Boy Scouts look up to their scoutmasters and other BSA members. Many place their complete trust in these people and never think to question unethical requests or inappropriate behavior.

We understand how difficult and embarrassing it can be for young boys to stand up to their abusers, and many will choose to live with the abuse rather than face the shame that often comes with being a sexual abuse victim.
California has taken a significant step to support survivors of child sexual abuse by removing the statute of limitations for filing civil claims. Even if the abuse occurred decades ago, survivors now have the right to pursue justice, no matter how much time has passed.
This change acknowledges that trauma often delays disclosures of abuse and ensures opportunities for accountability are not constrained by an arbitrary time frame.
That said, evidence can age over time, so building a case often requires legal knowledge, evidence analysis, and negotiating skills.
At the Injury Justice Law Firm, Our experienced California sexual abuse attorneys will thoroughly review your case, consult with experts, and seek every avenue to secure compensation and justice when you're ready to come forward. Our law firm is based in Los Angeles.
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