CARDOZO LAW
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Yeshiva University
October 18, 2012
Comment by Professor Marci A. Hamilton
on Behalf of Over 20 Child Advocacy Organizations
In Support of Boy Scout Survivors of Sex Abuse on Release of “Perversion Files”
Sadly, Many Will Be Unable to Obtain Justice
“The Boy Scouts of America is just the latest organization whose failure to report abuse has led to justice denied.”
The Oregon Supreme Court ordered the release of the Boy Scouts’ “perversion files” in Jack Does I-VI vs. Corp. of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Corp. of the President of the Church of Latter Day Saints and Successors & The Boy Scouts of America, et. al (Or. June 14, 2012), available athttp://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/other/S058601%5B1%5D.pdf . These files establish that the Boy Scouts knew about predators, but instead of protecting children by going to the authorities, they kept their identities secret and let them abuse more children.
Marci Hamilton, one of the nation’s leading experts on child sex abuse in institutional settings, states, “The Boy Scout files, like the Philadelphia Grand Jury Reports on abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the grand jury report on abuse by Jerry Sandusky, document how yet another institution has covered up child sex abuse. They kept records and knew more than anyone else in the country about the recidivism of abusers, yet, they did not go to the authorities. They enabled perpetrators and endangered one child after another. Internal records and investigations are never enough. Nor is sending the perpetrator away, with no notice to the authorities and the next community at risk.
Sadly, the statutes of limitations for the vast majority of the Boy Scout survivors in many states likely have expired, making it difficult to prosecute or sue the perpetrators, or to bring the organization to account for endangering children. The Boy Scout’s perversion files are another stark reminder to our elected representatives that laws in many states favor the organization, aid the predator, and put children at risk.
Right now, there are untold numbers of hidden child predators who are preying on one child after another, because the statutes of limitations have been configured to give them that opportunity. It is a fact that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused. Thus, there is an iceberg of victims across the country, including many Boy Scout victims, who have no access to justice.
Under the current statute of limitations in many states–which halt criminal prosecution and civil cases long before most victims are ready to come forward — those who caused the abuse or created the conditions for the abuse are being given a free ride.
The Boy Scouts of America is just the latest organization whose failure to report abuse led to justice denied. Now is the time for every state to look hard at its SOLs and to give child sex abuse victims a chance at justice.”
These organizations from across the country support SOL reform for child sex abuse victims:
Elliot Pasik, Esq., President
Jewish Board of Advocates for Children, Inc.
Long Beach, NY
John Salveson, President
Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA)
Bryn Mawr, PA
Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH, Founder
Stop the Silence
Glenn Dale, MD
Linda Walker, Founder
Child Protection Project
Los Angeles, CA
Sally Berenzweig, Med, MA
Cherie Benjoseph LCSW, Cofounders
KidSafe Foundation
Coral Springs, Florida
Maureen Martinez, President
Justice4pakids
Philadelphia, PA
Anne Barrett Doyle
Terence McKiernan, Co-Directors
BishopAccountability.org
Waltham, MA
Cardozo Advocates for Kids
Cardozo Law School
New York, NY
The White Tower Healing Foundation, Inc. and
Kevin T. Mulhearn, P.C.
Orangeburg, NY
Klarissa Oh, Executive Director
OAASIS: Oregon Abuse Advocates & Survivors in Service
Portland, Oregon
Tim Echausse, Director
LI SNAP
Long Island, NY
Roxine Behrens, President
Tree Climbers, Inc
Clarksburg, MD
Victor Vieth
Executive Director
National Association for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children
St. Paul, Minnesota
k.Dee Ignatin, Executive Director
Americans Against Abuses of Polygamy
San Antonio, Texas
Wendy Murphy, JD
Womens’ and Children’s Advocacy Project
Center for Law and Social Responsibility
Boston, MA
Ben Hirsch, President
Survivors for Justice
New York, NY
Steve Doell, President
Crime Victims United of Oregon
Vivian Farmery, MSW , Founder and Director
JustTell
New York, NY
Matthias Conaty, Survivor-Advocate
Child Victims Voice
Wilmington, DE
Jeffrey R. Dion, Deputy Executive Director
National Center for Victims of Crime
Washington, DC
Rev. Anthony Evans, Leader
National Black Church Initiative
Washington, D.C.
Chris Anderson, Vice President
MaleSurvivor
New York, NY
Child Victims Voice 
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