Kurt Meyer writes a weekly column for the Nora Springs – Rockford Register and the Substack newsletter Showing Up, where this essay first appeared in several installments. He served as chair of the executive committee (the equivalent of board chair) of Americans for Democratic Action, America’s most experienced liberal organization.
Ninety years ago, in a message to the Boys Scouts of America, President Franklin Roosevelt, honorary president of the Scouts, noted,
The year 1935 marks the 25th birthday celebration of the Boy Scouts of America. During these years the value of our organization in building character and in training for citizenship has made itself a vital factor in the life of America. … There are in each community so many well-organized and efficiently administered agencies… which strengthen the best objectives of the home, the church, and the school.
Several months later, a far less glowing message came from a relative of FDR, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, President Teddy Roosevelt’s son, chair of the Scout’s personnel division. Speaking extemporaneously at the 25th anniversary meeting of the Scouts National Council, Colonel Roosevelt referenced a Boy Scout “red flag list,” also known as “ineligible volunteer files” and “perversion files.”
According to Colonel Roosevelt, “Through our twenty-five years of existence, we have tried to safeguard ourselves in every way from men unfit to lead or to influence boys, and we intend to continue to do so. Our ‘red flag list’ is in constant use.”
Some Council members were confused, thinking (mistakenly) Boy Scouts was tracking communists. At a press conference, organizational leaders explained that, indeed, the Scouts kept “red files” of child molesters and that thousands of abusers had been removed from the Boy Scouts in its first quarter century.
Boy Scouts of America—formally renamed Scouting America last February—is now 115 years old. While the organization might be thriving in some locations, nationally, boy scout numbers have plummeted from a peak of more than 4 million scouts in the 1970s to less than 1 million in 2024 (including almost 200,000 girls).
If you have heard or read about this durable organization in the last decade or so, it’s probably not about merit badges or a national jamboree, but rather about child abuse and assault. Five years ago, after a flurry of lawsuits related to child sexual abuse, the organization filed for bankruptcy, the largest child abuse bankruptcy in history, with approximately 82,000 claims.
I was never a scout, nor am I an attorney. But a friend Paula and I hosted recently is very knowledgeable about these issues. He’s a claimant in the bankruptcy for an assault he experienced as a Scout and is deeply invested in following and educating about the legal machinations of this complex bankruptcy, the social and emotional impact of childhood sexual violence, and strategies to better keep kids safe. During our time together, we discussed what this insightful victim/advocate knew, thought, or felt about the Scouts’ situation.
I explained to him my desire to assemble this essay, examining Scouting America’s past, present, and future. He agreed to serve as a primary source, collaborator, and essential fact checker (to the best of his knowledge). Also, to respond to questions that will inevitably surface while drafting these columns.
Backdrop: Presidents Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt were both ardent scout supporters as was Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, a prominent citizen who went public about abuse within the organization. That took place 90 years ago. So, what happened—or maybe should have happened but didn’t—in the intervening years? A brief foreshadowing from the Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2025:
The cost of compensating men who were sexually abused in the Boy Scouts of America has reached over $7 billion, double the amount forecast in the youth group’s bankruptcy plan. The figure doesn’t include tens of thousands of claims still needing to be reviewed, and a settlement fund established to compensate survivors is warning that they are unlikely to be paid in full, as was once envisioned. […]
In 2023, the settlement trust began valuing tens of thousands of abuse claims and trying to collect on insurance policies by suing insurers. The trust’s website says that, unless settlements are reached, the lawsuit against the roughly 90 insurers could take years to litigate.
Read on.
“An Important Story Buried in a Sea of Content” …the title of a review of “Scouts’ Honor” a 2023 Netflix true-crime documentary. The Boy Scouts and its sexual-abuse situation has been the focus of two documentaries in the last three years: “Scouts Honor” (2023) on Netflix and “Leave No Trace” (2022) on Hulu.
The Netflix program details decades of sexual abuse that took place in Boy Scouts of America, now called Scouting America. The review title cited above is an apt description—emphasizing a massive amount of content—and an accurate capture of an unusually complex issue.
I don’t generally offer movie reviews; however, this engrossing, sobering documentary is important on several levels. If you wish to be more knowledgeable about a vital topic, one that’s difficult to understand and discuss, then take time to watch this Netflix program.
As noted above, “Five years ago, after a flurry of lawsuits, the (Scouting) organization filed for bankruptcy, the largest child abuse bankruptcy in history.” In my desire to bring readers up to date on the twists and turns of this story, I eventually concluded the most effective way to transmit consequential content and avoid submerging everyone under a sea of content was to share seven “findings” deemed most essential.
Finding 1: Many decades passed before information about Scouting abuse was publicly available. The dam of secrecy began to break in the 1990s. In 1994, journalist Patrick Boyle authored a book entitled “Scout’s Honor (the inspiration for the Netflix documentary cited above.) In 2012, a lawsuit in Oregon led to the release of the “perversion files” referenced by Colonel Roosevelt, which included abusers’ names.
Finding 2: When confronted with abuse issues, the national Boy Scout organization responded like many other large organizations, both companies and non-profit entities. As Boyle describes it: “Protect the organization first, basically deny there’s a problem, and if there (is) a problem, minimize it by saying it doesn’t happen a whole lot. …Also to shield themselves with the great work they’re doing.”
Finding 3: Many Scouting sexual abuse episodes follow a similar pattern. Leaders first befriend the boy(s), second, mentor him/them, third, molestation occurs. When abuse is discovered, leaders sometimes move on to other troops where, tragically, this cycle is repeated. (Note: There are exceptions to this cycle, of course, such as the apparent rise in abuse and assault among the youth themselves.)
Finding 4: I was startled to encounter one of Boyle’s observations after talking with molesters. “Certain molesters relate to kids better than their parents do. …These guys are very good at connecting with kids. A lot of these guys are much better than a lot of parents at listening to kids, giving them the space they need, and recognizing when a kid needs talking and when he needs space.” What does this say about the parenting skills many of us bring (or brought) to the child-rearing task?
Finding 5: Homosexuality and pedophilia are not closely linked. One does not presage the other; experts find minimal correlation. Most child molesters are heterosexual. Abuse is about power and control, not sexual orientation. Equally important, being abused does not make the victim a homosexual.
Finding 6: Boy Scout membership has fallen significantly in recent decades, including a major drop in 2019 when the Mormon Church (formerly a Scouting sponsor) withdrew from the organization. This longstanding decline is attributed to diverse factors: busy family schedules, competition from other youth-serving entities including youth sports, COVID-19, organizational changes regarding LGBTQ+ issues, … and, yes, sexual abuse allegations. Although precise numbers for Iowa were not readily available, it seems the state’s trend roughly mimics the national decline, approximately one-fifth what membership numbers were in the early 1970s.
Finding 7: Currently, there’s a $2.46 billion settlement fund (the Scouting Settlement Trust) to compensate survivors, including an estimated 30-40% anticipated for legal fees. Claimants are likely to receive significantly less than the Court says an individual’s trauma is worth, with more than 7,000 opting for a one-time $3,500 payment. The Trust began distributing initial payments in April 2023. By mid-May 2025, the Trust had distributed approximately $138 million to 20,000 survivors. While this number may seem large, remember that damages calculated as of summer 2025 reached $7 billion.
Before an attempt to sum up this sorry situation, it’s worth noting, there’s much that’s positive about scouting. As one writer noted, “It’s Norman Rockwell and apple pie, fresh air and the rewards of nature…wholesome, patriotic, and God-fearing – and, sure, a bit hokey.” The rationale underlying this essay is my desire to explain and interpret a complex situation for “grassroot readers” since, hokey or not, it’s at the local, community level where scouting becomes most relevant.
In summary, here are five observations about this scouting saga.
Observation 1: Sadly, this story is far from over. I asked Tom to employ a baseball analogy to describe where things stand in a very lengthy process. He settled on the seventh inning stretch in the second game of a three-game series. The first game focused on survivors speaking out. The current game is about a five-year bankruptcy process. The next game will determine if the organization can move beyond its shortcomings and establish transparent, accountable youth protection.
After all, it’s one of the most complex lawsuits and bankruptcies in U.S. history, involving an iconic national organization, 82,000 claimants, more than two hundred councils, maybe as many as one-hundred insurance companies, and thousands of chartering organizations (such as churches). While the national organization sought to shield local councils, claimants will seek to enlarge the Settlement Trust, with councils a likely target. When will it end? Confining this question just to final payments, it will take years, perhaps another decade.
Observation 2: Much of the focus now comes under the heading of payout. Initial estimates of the scouts’ liability ranged from $2.4 billion to $103 billion (yikes!); a victim-sponsored tally estimated $30 billion. Obviously, very wide differences. So, how much will victims/survivors receive, which backs into the question, how large is the Settlement Trust for compensating victims/survivors? Currently, the account is $2.46 billion; in June 2025, the estimated cost of compensating less than half of the victim/survivors reached $7 billion. Worth noting: at least 7,000 claimants chose a “quick pay” option to receive $3,500; furthermore, legal fees could run as high as 40 percent.
The Trust has billed non-settling insurers for an additional $7 billion, however insurers dispute such claims. If agreements aren’t reached, litigation against 83 insurers might take years, increasing the chances that survivors won’t receive full compensation. When all the dust settles, insurance companies will be the largest payers into the Settlement Trust.
Observation 3: Childhood sexual violence is a silent pandemic. An estimated 1-in-6 men experience sexual abuse before age 18, in schools, youth programs, churches, homes, etc. A non-profit organization, “1in6,” suggests the actual number may be even higher since male survivors are disinclined to acknowledge being sexually abused. Stereotypes about masculinity and sexuality lead many males to suffer silently.
The impact of abuse is different for each victim/survivor. That said, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual abuse organization, sexual abuse survivors (both men & women) are three times more likely to suffer from depression; four times more likely to contemplate suicide; six times more likely to suffer from PTSD; thirteen times more likely to abuse alcohol; and 26 times more likely to abuse drugs when compared to those not abused.
While researching this topic, I encountered a new (to me) term: “delayed disclosure.” The National Institutes of Health estimates between 55 percent and 70 percent of those experiencing childhood sexual abuse delay disclosure until adulthood. Delay lengths vary but have been reported of up to sixty years; the mean age of disclosure for adults sexually abused as children is between 40 and 50 years old.
In short, there are a great many hurting males between ages 20 and 40 (and beyond) carrying a burden of psychological “toxins” they’ve not yet completely come to terms with.
Observation 4: Organizations must be vigilant. Every organization that works with children and adolescents faces abuse risks. Far too many, including the Scouts, attempt to deny or hide serious behavioral problems—such as sexual abuse—which obviously does not make the problem go away. As one critic observed, “(The Scouts) essentially had a product defect they were ignoring. This organization was built in a way that molesters could get in, abuse kids, and get away with it.”
For decades, Boy Scouts and its leaders chose organizational protection over child protection. Thanks to lawsuits and news reporting, the upshot of this choice is now available for all to see.
Observation 5: The future of scouting is unclear. Boy Scouts of America recently rebranded itself “Scouting America,” conveying a more inclusive, up-to-date organizational approach. According to the entity’s website, “This change highlights our ability to adapt while staying true to our core mission: preparing young people for life through leadership, resilience, and environmental stewardship.” It’s too early to gauge whether the right words are reflective of an innovative, dynamic, inviting culture.
People inside and outside the organization are divided about whether the organization can thrive again. But one thing is clear: it will not be the same program Americans have come to know. Again, from the website: “While the core of Scouting — camping, hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor adventures — remains timeless, the program now incorporates skills designed for the modern world. With a focus on STEM programs, Scouts (are equipped) for a tech-driven future. Sustainability initiatives (prepare Scouts) to be mindful citizens in a world increasingly focused on conservation.”
One concluding statement, an attempt to encapsulate the scouting challenge and dilemma. This quote is from an editorial writer who benefited greatly from his Boy Scout experience, pondering what he’s learned more recently about the organization. “Fond memories can get mixed up with dark questions and horrible truths. I learned that it’s easy to be angry. It is harder to be both angry and grateful.”
Top image of Boy scout symbol is by srimapan, available via Shutterstock.