They’re being called the “perversion files” – a record of previously confidential files listing the names of 1,200 Boy Scout of America officials and scoutmasters who are accused of abusing young boys over a period of two decades.
The files released Thursday, October 19 contain more than 15,000 pages detailing accusations of the sexual abuse against scout leaders and officials between 1965 and 1985. The list of names in the documents were deemed “ineligible volunteers” and include those who are accused of sexual abuse towards the minors they came into contact with during boy scout meetings and functions.
Police are now responding to 523 of the alleged cases. The files were kept confidential – until now – and represent all that the Boy Scouts of America could have done to protect their young members, but didn’t.
While The Boy Scouts of America did remove individuals who molested children, they could have done much more to shed light on an issue that is now rocking the entire nation. Law enforcement was never involved with the alleged cases that the perversion files reference – which is the issue at hand.
The Boy Scouts of America have made some recent changes to abide by the rules and weed out pedophiles. Locally, Boy Scout officials say that they abided by the national guidelines and have nothing to hide. However, the Cradle of Liberty Council headquartered in Wayne, PA has taken it a step further and conducted background checks. CEO of the council, Tom Harrington says that more than 6,000 adult scoutmasters in the region have gone through background checks, and as a result are now on the “ineligible” list.
The “perversion files” are now available to the public online. To see if any of the Boy Scout of America staffers and volunteers in your area made the list, visit www.kellyclarkattorney.com/files
HR Expert Opinion:
In a scandal that’s making national headlines, organizations are taking action by conducting due diligence to include comprehensive background checks on employees, volunteers and contractors. When in the case of minors, background check measures should always be put into place to ensure the quality of staff and the safety of the children.
Under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Act, know as Act 73, employers are required to conduct background checks on all employees with “a significant likelihood of regular contact with children, in the form of care, guidance, supervision or training.”
The required checks include:
· Pennsylvania statewide criminal background check
· Child abuse history clearance from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
· Cogent FBI fingerprint check
For more information or assistance on setting up a comprehensive background screening program, visit First Contact HR at www.firstcontacthr.com, call Toll Free at 866-406-2142, or email info@firstcontacthr.com. First Contact HR is an award-winning, nationwide background screening firm. and member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS)