http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/07/23/former-boy-scout-files-sex-abuse-lawsuit/7/23/13
Former Boy Scout Files Sex Abuse LawsuitMIAMI (CBSMiami) – A former Boy Scout, now an adult, claims he was a victim of sexual abuse and spoke out anonymously of the alleged multiple times he was abused by more than one scout leader.
The victim, who grew up in Homestead, said he was sexually abused in the 80s.
“I was sodomized, raped and abused by three monsters that were at the Boy Scouts,” said the victim anonymously at a conference held Tuesday.
He claimed that two different leaders, one in Homestead and the other in Orlando, abused him. The leaders would, according to the alleged victim, would exchange information about the boys who were easy prey.
“Till this day I sleep with a night light on,” said the victim.
The alleged victim’s attorney, Jeff Herman, filed the suit against the Boy Scouts Of America and the local South Florida Boy Scout Council.
“It was a child sex ring run by the Boy Scout leaders,” said Herman.
Herman said that the leaders would even take pictures of the young boys, claiming that there were files in the 80s with the Boy Scout Organization but it remained a secret.
The Boy Scouts of America released a statement regarding the claims:
“Any instance of child victimization or abuse is intolerable and unacceptable. While we can’t comment on the lawsuit, we deeply regret that there have been times when Scouts were abused, and for that we are very sorry and extend our deepest sympathies to victims. The BSA was one of the first youth programs to develop youth protection policies and education, and in the 30 years since these events took place has continuously enhanced its multi-tiered policies and procedures, which now include background checks, comprehensive training programs, and safety policies, like requiring all members to report even suspicions of abuse directly to local law enforcement.”
The victim said he never knew how to get the help he needed but now that he has a family of his own he is speaking out, hoping to get passed the incident and move on.
“They took my childhood, but they are not going to take my adulthood,” said the alleged victim.
The attorney, Herman, said the suspects in the case no longer live in South Florida and have not been charged.
