Scout files reveal extensive sex abuse coverup

The publication Thursday of 20 years worth of secret records kept by the Boy Scouts of America reveals a widespread effort by the organization to cover up a scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse against 1,200 Scout leaders. Only a handful of those cases were in South Carolina.

The records, known within the Boy Scouts itself as the “perversion files,” cover the years 1965-1985 and detail the names of the alleged perpetrators, their hometowns and other information. The files were results of the organization’s own internal investigations into sexual abuse among its leaders and include court documents, newspapers clippings in cases where charges were actually filed and other material.

Again and again, decade after decade, an array of authorities – police chiefs, prosecutors, pastors and local Boy Scout leaders among them – quietly shielded scoutmasters and others accused of molesting children, the papers show.

At the time, those authorities justified their actions as necessary to protect the good name and good works of Scouting, a pillar of 20th century America. But as detailed in 14,500 pages of secret files released Thursday by order of the Oregon Supreme Court, their maneuvers allowed sexual predators to go free while victims suffered in silence.

Not every person whose name was contained within the thousands of pages — which the Scouts officially called the “Ineligible Volunteer Files” — ever actually faced charges or was convicted. Some files only reflected concerns about someone.

But they span the nation, involving Boy Scout organizations and leaders from small towns to bustling cities. Their disclosure also again marks an embarrassing betrayal of public trust by another prominent and respected social institution.

Attorney Paul Mones, whose Oregon law firm was involved in the lawsuit against the Boy Scouts and which led to the files’ disclosure, told a news conference on Thursday that they symbolize “the anguish of thousands of Scouts.”

In a statement Thursday, Boy Scouts national president Wayne Perry apologized for the abuse and the failure to protect children.

“There have been instances where people misused their positions in scouting to abuse children, and in certain cases, our response to these incidents and our efforts to protect youth were plainly insufficient, inappropriate, or wrong,” the statement said. “Where those involved in scouting failed to protect, or worse, inflicted harm on children, we extend our deepest and sincere apologies to victims and their families.”

The Boy Scout files could produce criminal trials and years of litigation, as well as potentially millions of dollars in damages.

Abuse in South Carolina

South Carolina’s number of abusive Scout leaders was among the lowest in the country with 10 people listed between April 1964 and April 1985.

Doug Stone, scout executive of the Indian Waters Council, which serves the Midlands, said significant precautions have been adopted locally as well as nationally to protect youngsters in the program.

“Today there are extensive and clear policies, effective screening, education and training firmly in place within the Boy Scouts of America that are recognized as among the best in the youth-serving community,” Stone said.

He said in addition to requiring criminal background checks and local volunteer screening, the Boy Scouts provides comprehensive training programs and mandatory reporting of any suspected abuse. Also, every Boy Scout and Cub Scout handbook includes a pamphlet to help parents teach their children how to recognize, resist, and report abuse.

“Any good-faith suspicion of abuse must be immediately reported to law enforcement by our volunteers, and the individual is removed from Scouting as soon as a report is received,” Stone said

The Boy Scouts’ “two-deep” leadership policy requires at least two adults to be present for all Scouting activities. “No youth should ever be alone with a Scout leader for any reason,” he said. “In fact, all Scouting activities are open to parents, and we encourage families to enjoy Scouting together,” Stone said.

The Indian Waters Council serves about 8,000 Scouts.

Staff writer Bertram Rantin and The Associated Press contributed.

This story was originally published October 19, 2012 at 12:00 AM.