BOISE, IDAHO – August 31, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – A lawsuit filed by 16 men claiming the Boys Scouts of America and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-say Saints were culpable in allowing them to be sexually abused by scout leaders in the 1970’s and 80s, is moving forward.
The suit, originally filed in 2013, maintains scout and church leaders were aware certain volunteers posed a risk to the scouts, but chose to hide the information, going so far as to endorse the leaders as “great guys” and “friends you can always turn to for advice.”
Attorneys for the Boy Scouts and the LDS Church had challenged the validity of the suit, citing the statute of limitations, but the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that decision belonged with the lower court. As a result, the case moves forward.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs applauded the high court’s decision. Their clients are suing the scouts and Mormon church for constructive fraud, claiming, in essence, that scout and church leaders breached their relationship of trust and confidence with the then adolescent scouts.
The Boy Scouts of America responded to court ruling with the following statement:
“The Boy Scouts of America extends our deepest sympathies to victims of any kind of abuse. In the more than three decades since these incidents took place we have continued to develop and enhance out efforts to protect youth.”
The LDS Church has yet to address the latest court ruling.
I firmly believe the LDS Church should dump the BSA. They use it as the right arm of the Aronic priesthood. Leaving our young me no youth program if you are not in scouts. My Brother is one of the victims in this lawsuit. I’m devastated and hurt by the churches decision. At there will be some accountability now.
Well actually there would be a program for the young men… For those not in “Young Men” it’s called duty to God… Something they do with or without being in scouts. Those in Young Men have their weekly activity with the other Young Men.
And why is it the decision that God loves all his children so gays are allowed to participate any part of this? Don’t get me wrong, this is an awful situation, but I know people who were molested by a BISHOP… so the gays may have nothing to do with this. Besides, the first presidency made the decision God told them to make, right? So who are you to question it?