Boy Scouts: Bankruptcy will not impact local councils, troops

The Boy Scouts of America assured people Tuesday that its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will not impact the operations of local Councils and troops.

"Local councils, which provide programming, financial, facility and administrative support to scouting units in their communities, have not filed for bankruptcy," a press relase from the Boy Scouts of America National Council said. "They are legally separate, distinct and financially independent from the national organization."

The release said BSA has filed for bankruptcy to use the Chapter 11 process to create a victims' compensation trust to provide compensation for people who experienced abuse as scouts and to continue its mission of preparing eligible youths for their futures.

The release said people have taken advantage of BSA programs to harm children, and BSA believes the proposed compensation trust structure is the best way to compensate victims while protecting their identities. The organization encouraged victims to come forward to file a claim as the bankruptcy process moves forward and will provide clear and comprehensive notices about how to do so.

"The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children," BSA President and CEO Roger Mosby said in the release. "While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process - with the proposed trust structure - will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA's important mission."

The release said scouting programs, including unit meetings and activities, council events, other scouting activities and service projects, will continue throughout the bankruptcy process and afterward.

"The BSA fully intends to maintain its commitments to its members, families, volunteer leaders, employees, retirees, donors and alumni to the fullest extent permitted by bankruptcy laws," the release said. "The organization also will pay its vendors and partners for all goods and services delivered from today forward."

The release said victim support programs already in place will continue. That includes BSA-funded in-person counseling for any current or former scout who was a victim of abuse as well as victims' family members by a provider of their choice. BSA recently announced a partnership with 1in6, a national resource for male survivors, to expand the services so that victims of abuse are able to anonymously access vital support from trained advocates when and how they need it. Victims can access 1in6 services at http://www.1in6.org/BSA .

This is a multiyear commitment, the release said, which BSA believes is an important component of its ongoing efforts to support victims.

The release said BSA will continue to offer programs to youths, "keeping them safe, supported and protected as it prepares them for their futures. The BSA today has some of the strongest, expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization, including mandatory youth protection training and background checks for all volunteers and staff, as well as policies that prohibit one-on-one interaction between youth and adults and require all volunteers and staff to report any suspected abuse to law enforcement."

More information about BSA's safeguards and commitment to support victims as well as its efforts to be part of the broader solution to child abuse can be viewed online at http://www.scouting.org/youth-safety, the release said.

More information and updates about the restructuring also are available online through the national organization's dedicated restructuring website at http://www.BSArestructuring.org, the release said. Victims, as well as vendors and other potential creditors who have questions about their claims, may contact [email protected] or call 1-866-907-BSA1 for the fastest response, it said.