Oh the hypocrisy. It looks like over the last 20 years, Boy Scouts of America has been covering for child molesters. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times has unearthed what's informally called the organization's "perversion file," records of blacklisted scout leaders who allegedly molested boys in their care. The list goes back to 1919! And BSA has been fighting to keep the list secret.
Now we see why: Because time after time BSA let alleged child molesters quietly resign under false pretenses, neglecting to alert the authorities about reports of abuse. Worse, because BSA leaders didn't report these incidents, alleged molesters sometimes weaseled their way back into the organization to do it all over again!
Who were the Boy Scouts of America trying to protect with this supposed black list? Definitely not the boys or their families! This sort of cover-up is much more about protecting the alleged molesters and especially protecting the reputation of the organization. No wonder they take such a hard line against gay scoutmasters. Right?
Wrong. The ban on gay scout maters totally misses the point. None of the alleged or convicted child molesters were gay. Gay does not mean child molester. Not the same thing, folks! And anyone with half a brain knows that openly gay men like GROWNUP MEN, not boys. Men who are into boys are in a whole, sick, disturbed category all of their own. It is not even remotely the same thing. Not even if you're into twinks. Anyway, you lose all claims to "morality" when you cover up for child molesters.
So let's look at the facts as they're being reported. Most allegations of abuse were reported to the police before they were reported to the Scouts, so that's a relief, anyway. But there are about 500 reports that came from kids, parents, or other sources. Of those, about 400 of those cases were never reported to the police. And in 100 of those cases, there were attempts to actively cover up the incidents.
So here we are now, and I have a son in Boy Scouts. How thrilled am I with this news? My son is pretty young and hasn't gone on any overnight camping trips. Meetings are at a church, not in anyone's home. And it's some relief to know that in 2010 the BSA instituted a policy requiring leaders to report any and all cases of suspected abuse to the authorities. But still -- this story really makes me wonder about the culture in BSA leadership and where their priorities are. Maybe we'll skip scouting this year, after all.
Do you feel secure that BSA's new policy about reporting incidents of abuse will protect your child?
Image via anja_johnson/Flickr
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Comments 42
Yes, you know what gay means.
I'm assuming you know what straight means.
With your logic, does you assume that, since I'm a straight woman, I'm attracted to little boys???
Being GAY and being a CHILD MOLESTER are two veeeeerrrryyyyyy different things!!! But you are just plain creepy if you think they are the same!!
Get it?
So, yes, the Boy Scouts must be "hypocrites" because they go to great lengths to try to do everything humanly possible to prevent the stuff in the article from happening...
I really have no intention of wasting the afternoon beating this dead horse from hamburger to "pink slime". Why don't you go read up on the topic a little bit, and find out who is programming you to bleat that and why?
Just because things have happened in the past, does NOT mean they are still happening! Little boys can have the same things happen to them going into the bathroom at Wal-Mart, does the parent blame the store? NO! Why because the PARENT reports the incident to the police right away! While. yes, I do believe that those "leaders" should have been banned, the BSA is NOT solely to blame for the actions of people! They can not control anything beyond doing a background check.
My husband started BSA when he was 6 yrs old and was one of the youngest members EVER to reach Eagle Scout, which, for those of you who like to bash and know NOTHING about the organization, is one of the highest achievements possible! Not once in the 9 years that he was in BSA did he EVER have anything like this happen! My husband was taught manners and life skills that most kids never learn. SO do I support BSA and will my 4 yr old start in 2 years? The answer is YES! You people need to learn who is to blame!
Yeah your son should be super safe in church you should feel totally okay. : /
Floridamom Multiple adults can comunally abuse a single child. You dont really think that the boys are safe because you sent them off to hang out with three strangers instead of one do you? If they werent all missing their legs and nailed to the floor there is nothing stopping them from doing harm. "Hey I'm going to walk Billy to the restroom." whats stopping him from walking out the front door and driving away with your child instead. Morality? I am sorry but I'm not going to be putting my childs innocence up in the air based on what I think someone should never do. Take some time out of your busy schedual and teach your child yourself, theres nothing stopping you from learning and teaching your child. go take a friggin walk together, investigate everything, and go home and solve the mysteries you encounter together. Dont rely on stangers to teach your children and then try to disillusion almost 100 years of issues of abuse and irresponsible actions pertaining to the justice of these poor children with two years of them finally taking precautions.
kellykpk you made it obvious you know absolutely nothing about floridamom and missed her point entirely. You shouldn't blindly trust ANYONE with your children. When my son was two I had a younger mom try to recruit me for MOPS and her selling point was you leave your child with the old people from the church so you know for sure they are safe. I said, what are you talking about? How is that safe? Everyone gets old and anyone can go to church. Do they back ground check people is what I want to know?
We also hear cases all the time of molestation and inappropriate behavior in the class rooms. We have to talk to our children and make sure they understand what to do and that they can come to us.
AND GUEST
Child molesters are attracted to the innocence and ability to control, some just want to hurt something smaller then them and some just think they are "loving" them. They don't care about their dicks. They don't care about the undeveloped sex parts of the boys. They are monsters who feed on innocence, fear and control. This is the reason Gay Men and Child Molesters do not fall into the same category. Don't bring your ignorance back again, you have nothing else to argue and your inadequate intellect on the subject is making you look like small minded idiot. If you do feel like arguing please feel free to re-read this as many times as you have to until it sinks in.
Kelleykpk ,
YOU ROCK !!
My Cub Scouts den leader goes by the two adult rule. This rule states that one adult cannot be alone with a scout without another adult being present. Also our meetings are at a church and I attend them as well. I also will be going on all outings. I was hesitant to let him join the scouts because of all of the molestation stories I have heard. But he really wanted to and the things they learn are priceless. Just make a conscience decision to invest your time as well.
And our den leader is also a woman.