Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser

[gerryh]

Boy Scouts of America officials didn't call police in 1979 after Turley acknowledged molesting three Orange County boys, records show.
"You do not want to broadcast to the entire population that these things happen," A. Buford Hill Jr., a former Orange County Scouting executive, said of officials' decision not to contact authorities. "You take care of it quietly and make sure it never happens again."

Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com


I must have missed the outraged condemnation from users here. I must have missed the call for disbandment of the BSA. I seem to have missed the call for the imprisonment of any and all even remotely connected. I seemed to have missed all of that, aside from a few passing comments.

 

[CDNBear]

Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com


I must have missed the outraged condemnation from users here. I must have missed the call for disbandment of the BSA. I seem to have missed the call for the imprisonment of any and all even remotely connected. I seemed to have missed all of that, aside from a few passing comments.

All those that were guilty should be tried, if convicted, punished.

Anyone that aided, abetted, or otherwise covered up these criminal acts. Should face similar circumstances.

If their Pope was actually involved, him too!!!

Is that better Gh?

 

[VanIsle]

"The BSA has continued to enhance its youth protection efforts as society has increased its understanding of the dangers children face," the Scouts said in a statement.

If this is a true statement - why haven't things changed? Why would anyone opt to keep this "quiet"? So he moved on (to Canada) and their embarrassment went away? They should be charged for failing to report him. Seems to me that would be covered under "aiding and abetting".
Typical of Canadian Courts - his time served has been brief and he continues to do the same. He says he is able to control his urges. What rot! How long will he continue to control his urges?
Foreign students come to Canada to learn English. The family they will live with are required to have a criminal records check done at their own expense. In that records check there is a 40% chance the man in the household will need to be finger printed. Only a 2% chance the woman will be. If our son's student needs to spend a night at our house because our son is going out of town, we also have to have the criminal records check done. This is how it should be with all organizations who are involved with children. Then, even if a felon has changed his identity, there is a much higher chance they will be found out before they get to deal with children. I doubt any would be making the application.

 

[taxslave]

First I heard of it but somehow I'm not surprised. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if there are lots of kid diddlers in the BSA. If it was up to me they would all be castrated with a rusty tin can. Those that covered up or hid the diddlers should be horse whipped and tossed in jail with a big gay cell mate.

 

[Colpy]

Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com


I must have missed the outraged condemnation from users here. I must have missed the call for disbandment of the BSA. I seem to have missed the call for the imprisonment of any and all even remotely connected. I seemed to have missed all of that, aside from a few passing comments.

The difference between this and the Catholic Church is that the gentlemen of BS of A actually removed the wrongdoers from the young men in their trust.....they didn't simply transfer them to another Scout troop.

They did NOT do enough........but they DID do something!!!!

 

[CDNBear]

They did NOT do enough....

That's all that is relevant.

 

[TenPenny]

Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com


I must have missed the outraged condemnation from users here. I must have missed the call for disbandment of the BSA. I seem to have missed the call for the imprisonment of any and all even remotely connected. I seemed to have missed all of that, aside from a few passing comments.

I just figured they were following the example set by the RCC.

 

[SLM]

If there are truly 5,000 abuse allegations that went unreported to the authorities, damn straight the officials of the BSA that were involved should be held accountable and face charges. Their cover up makes them complicit.

To say nothing of this Turley freak that only served 7 years jail time for abuse of 15 children? There is something seriously effed up with the legal/judicial system on that one too.

 

[Locutus]

That 5th Estate episode was on a few weeks back. If you want to see it:

Scout's Honour - the fifth estate


Seems the whole molesting/abuse and reporting/investigations of such events was so much different decades ago. Whether these guys, various churches, schools etc.

No 'fault' of mine, yours or any one particular person maybe but it sure went the way of hush-hush. Doesn't make it any better but the secrets kept and shame associated never made the rounds much.

I just found out recently that my grade 8 home room teacher had been arrested for molesting boys at CFB Uplands in the late 60's and early 70's. I mean, 40 years to come to light? I've read posts from the victims but am no more clear on why someone would suffer/wait/hold back for that long a time. We ( base brats) certainly never heard of the abuses in my circle of friends at the time but others have posted they had.

 

[karrie]

I mean, 40 years to come to light? I've read posts from the victims but am no more clear on why someone would suffer/wait/hold back for that long a time.

Just a personal reflection on the issue. As part of counseling that I'm undergoing, I'm supposed to write a letter to myself, stating that abuses I suffered were not my fault. A letter of self forgiveness if you will. It's been two months that I've been putting off going back to counselling because, well, I can't/won't write the letter. I don't want any scrap of evidence in this house, for my kids to get their hands on, that will tell them what I went through. I don't want a record of it for them to have to deal with. I don't want to have to talk to a child whose views on love intimacy and sex are still forming, and throw that wrench into the works. It sounds odd I know, but, it's easier to face when your kids are done growing. I've seen it plenty, people wait until their kids are out of the house to face these demons.

 

[Locutus]

Just a personal reflection on the issue. As part of counseling that I'm undergoing, I'm supposed to write a letter to myself, stating that abuses I suffered were not my fault. A letter of self forgiveness if you will. It's been two months that I've been putting off going back to counselling because, well, I can't/won't write the letter. I don't want any scrap of evidence in this house, for my kids to get their hands on, that will tell them what I went through. I don't want a record of it for them to have to deal with. I don't want to have to talk to a child whose views on love intimacy and sex are still forming, and throw that wrench into the works. It sounds odd I know, but, it's easier to face when your kids are done growing. I've seen it plenty, people wait until their kids are out of the house to face these demons.

I've done a similar "Fifth Step" personal inventory and read it to someone. But certainly not your own circumstances and pain.

Wasn't fun but I trusted the man I did it with.

Never 'kept' a copy and don't understand why that is relevant. What do I know, I'm no head-shrinker.



But mail me the letter and I'd burn the whole friggin' envelope straight away.

I'm sure plenty of others would be more than happy to stand with you and lend a hand. Even symbolically. But I would burn that goddamn thing if it helped someone feel they could physically write the pain down. Just write the thing.

Pen, ink and maybe some tears. Nothing a match and a hug can't soothe.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Just a personal reflection on the issue. As part of counseling that I'm undergoing, I'm supposed to write a letter to myself, stating that abuses I suffered were not my fault. A letter of self forgiveness if you will. It's been two months that I've been putting off going back to counselling because, well, I can't/won't write the letter. I don't want any scrap of evidence in this house, for my kids to get their hands on, that will tell them what I went through. I don't want a record of it for them to have to deal with. I don't want to have to talk to a child whose views on love intimacy and sex are still forming, and throw that wrench into the works. It sounds odd I know, but, it's easier to face when your kids are done growing. I've seen it plenty, people wait until their kids are out of the house to face these demons.

You have to write the letter, but do you have to keep it? Write it one day. when the kids are out and then shred it. The healing is for you and I think the act of writting it will satisfy the requirement.

 

[wulfie68]

Records: Boy Scouts failed to report abuser - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com


I must have missed the outraged condemnation from users here. I must have missed the call for disbandment of the BSA. I seem to have missed the call for the imprisonment of any and all even remotely connected. I seemed to have missed all of that, aside from a few passing comments.

I'll bite.

Yes, those responsible for facilitating and covering up abuses in the BSA should be held fully accountable for their actions, including prison sentences, fines and restitution. I hope the court case does the blow the doors off their little archive to allow this to happen.

The Oregon Supreme Court is now weighing a request by newspapers, a wire service and broadcasters to open about 1,200 more files in the wake of a nearly $20-million judgment in a Portland sex abuse case last year.

I hope this happens. One other point, the BSA is already paying, courtesy of the courts, as pointed out in the quote.

Boy Scouts of America officials didn't call police in 1979 after Turley acknowledged molesting three Orange County boys, records show.

"You do not want to broadcast to the entire population that these things happen," A. Buford Hill Jr., a former Orange County Scouting executive, said of officials' decision not to contact authorities. "You take care of it quietly and make sure it never happens Again."

Epic faliure. The only way it doesn't happen again is if the pedophile spends the rest of their life behind bars, as evidenced by:

It happened again. Turley returned to his native Canada, where he signed on with Scouts Canada, and continued his abuses for at least a decade.

Mr Hill and his associates were idiots to handle the situation in this way. Granted I think we (as a society) have learned more about these predators and how to handle them in the 3 decades or so since 1979 when they tried to "act" on the Turley situation, but that still doesn't forgive the lack of police involvement. This was a crime in 1979 and should have been treated as such. Covering it up only means a secondary crime was also committed. Intentions don't count for a damned thing in cases like this, especially when the good intentions lead to more kids becoming victims.

 

[VanIsle]

The difference between this and the Catholic Church is that the gentlemen of BS of A actually removed the wrongdoers from the young men in their trust.....they didn't simply transfer them to another Scout troop.

They did NOT do enough........but they DID do something!!!!

No. What they did doesn't count. All they did was remove what could be an embarrassment for themselves. They protected themselves but did nothing to help anyone else. Cowards is what they are and there is no other word for them. They laid their responsibility at someone else's door.

Just a personal reflection on the issue. As part of counseling that I'm undergoing, I'm supposed to write a letter to myself, stating that abuses I suffered were not my fault. A letter of self forgiveness if you will. It's been two months that I've been putting off going back to counselling because, well, I can't/won't write the letter. I don't want any scrap of evidence in this house, for my kids to get their hands on, that will tell them what I went through. I don't want a record of it for them to have to deal with. I don't want to have to talk to a child whose views on love intimacy and sex are still forming, and throw that wrench into the works. It sounds odd I know, but, it's easier to face when your kids are done growing. I've seen it plenty, people wait until their kids are out of the house to face these demons.

For your own peace of mind - write the letter. Then burn it. No one but you will ever know it was written. Since you know you are going to burn it, you can write it with abandon. Get all you need to say out in your open and then have a good cry because you will need to. Then burn the letter.

 

[karrie]

Just to clarify. I wasn't trying to make it about me, just commenting on Loc's ponderance that he can't understand why it would take 40 years for people to come forward. But, in light of all the wonderful input... I wrote it down today, since my next appointment is tomorrow. That way there's no time for my kids to find it. It will be destroyed after I go over it in session.

I can totally understand why it takes so long for so many of these cases to come to light and be persued. Frankly, I'd never seek court over any of mine. Too much pain for too little reward.

 

[CDNBear]

I can totally understand why it takes so long for so many of these cases to come to light and be persued. Frankly, I'd never seek court over any of mine. Too much pain for too little reward.

You're also not prone to being vindictive or vengeful.

It's one of the things that, well, lets just say I respect you for it.

 

[karrie]

You're also not prone to being vindictive or vengeful.

Nope, I'm not prone to it that's for sure. But when I decide to something, I rarely half ass it.

 

[wulfie68]

I figured I'd leave the discussion in this thread instead of opening a new one, but is the Penn State sex abuse scandal getting much airtime up North?

Its another case of abuse that might be damaging to an institution/organization, being covered up by administrators etc. and its blowing up hard on a prestigious university and one of the top football programs in the US. For those who haven't seen anything on it, an assistant coach is alleged to have mollested 8 boys over 15 years, while engaged in activities sponsored by the coach's at-risk youth charity. This link is opinion but it also contains a lot of fact of what has surfaced thus far. Penn State, Joe Paterno and failure of power - ESPN

The university, responding to information provided by a graduate student in 2002 that he witnessed Sandusky performing anal sex in the shower on a boy about 10 years old, did nothing. The university did not call authorities and did not ever sever ties with Sandusky, allowing him to maintain an office on campus for years.

This case sickens me, and I see it as the same type of betrayal of trust. I find myself in total agree with this op-ed piece by Howard Byrant and I think the sentiment applies to those involved in the Boyscout abuses and those in church groups.

But Penn State president Graham Spanier, athletic director Tim Curley, vice president for business and finance Gary Schultz and coach Joe Paterno should be held to a higher standard. So should The Second Mile, a charity that was founded to help children. Whether or not Sandusky is convicted, each was faced with a critical choice with damning information and chose to protect the program. This is what power has become. More accurately, it is what power has always been, in existence to protect itself.

At this point, the axe is starting to fall: Sandusky, the alleged abuser, is facing 40 different charges. Two Penn State officials have resigned/been fired and charged with Perjury over the affair. Joe Paterno, the head coach isn't facing charges at this point but reports are coming out that he won't be back to coach Penn State next year. Some high profile student athlete recruits are said to be changing their mind about attending Penn State in light of this as well. And you know that the lawsuits are warming up, and deservedly so. As one commentator I saw on the news stated yesterday, "you don't report a rape to your supervisor, you call the police".

 

[coldstream]

The biggest threshold to overcome in reporting Child Abuse, is that it often happens in a protected institutional setting. In a school, social or charitable organization.. or Church.. and the overriding directive in all institutions is to Protect the Corporation.

It's not surprising to to me that even a Coach who built his reputation on integrity like Joe Paterno fell into the trap of keeping things 'in-house'. It was inexcusable of course, and will be a permanent foot-note to his illustrious career.

I hope the young Assistant Coach (Mike McQueary) who reported the incident does not get fired.. if only because it was his action and testimony that exposed this in the first place. Had he simply let it slide, as everyone else did, Sandusky would still be on the prowl for young boys, using Penn States athletic facilities as a convenient location for the abuse. And Paterno would have retired with an untarnished reputation.

I think he will be fired, simply because the university is looking for more scape goats, to cast culpability away from its football program and the $100 million it generates a year.. but essentially a corporate culture is at the bottom of this. My guess is Sandusky's crimes were well known and much more prevalent than what has been acknowledged up till now. It's why he was eased out into 'honourable' retirement at 55.. and why he was allowed to keep faculty privileges for the facilities.

Both deserved their fate. Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, and Paterno will have been fired in disgrace. But the real victims remain the children of abuse.. who we know face a lifetime of psychological trauma.

 

[damngrumpy]

The problem is we have set up so many reconciliation committees to deal with the
past and abuses of all kinds from the past. We have the residential school issues,
and the church abuses of kids, now the Boy Scouts of America. and there will be
a lot more to come. There is the terrible way the Chinese were treated and the
Japanese during the second world war.
Now let us look at the societal impact of this. There were thousands of people who
said lets just move on. Well some have expressed here, they can't even move on
in their own lives let alone as a society, because the problems were never dealt
with properly. The Natives were right, about the residential schools, the truth has
to come out and see the light of day. We also have to address the other issues in
the same manner other wise the real problems never get dealt with they get swept
under the rug and when they do come out as the truth always does the impact of
shock and indignation is magnified ten fold. It is then we look to punish someone,
many times the victims for even mentioning it after all this time. Nonsense we are
in fact aiding and abetting the continuation of such crimes by keeping them a
secret or not disclosing personal suffering if applicable. For each person that can
heal, the society gets one step closer to healing. For any healing to take place
the truth must be confronted in the light of day and those past wrong righted in
order for life to move on.
There are too many dark closets and the doors remain closed, we must address
the issues and punish the wrong doers not the victims.