New sexual assault laws that will go into effect in New Jersey on Dec. 1, 2019 may open more paths to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse by Boy Scouts of America volunteers and troop leaders.

Boy Scouts of America Lawsuit

A group of Pennsylvania sexual assault survivors has filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America in New Jersey. Although the victims are from Pennsylvania, the lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey, where the organization was headquartered from 1954 to 1978.

According to advocates for the victims, the lawsuit is hoping to take advantage of the new laws in the state, which allow a longer statute of limitations than the current laws in Pennsylvania. Under previous New Jersey sexual assault laws, victims were hindered by a two-year statute of limitations. This meant that victims of sexual abuse were only allowed to file a lawsuit for two years following the abuse. Under the new laws, this window has been expanded.

According to the plaintiffs in the Boy Scouts of America suit, multiple scout leaders have been accused of sexual abuse. One man involved in the lawsuit claims that he was abused during a Boy Scouts camping trip in 1969. He told AP News, “It’d be nice to have the Boy Scouts account for their lack of ability to do the right thing. It would be nice for me to have the Scouts say we did wrong by you and by these other boys and by your parents.”

Hundreds of accusations against Boy Scout leaders have been made by victims across the United States in the past few years, according to the New York Times. In 2012, the Boy Scouts were court ordered to publicly release files regarding years of alleged sexual assaults and abuses that had been covered up by the organization. According to the Boy Scouts, the organization apologizes to the victims and is supportive of victims coming forward. Additionally, the organization has stated that its policies have been changed, and now include mandatory criminal background checks for leaders. Additionally, the new policies require two adult leaders to be present with scouts at all times during activities, rather than allowing one leader to be alone with the scouts.

Updates to New Jersey Sexual Assault Laws

The new bill was signed in May and will take effect on Dec. 1. Under the new sexual assault laws, New Jersey victims of childhood abuse will be able to make claims until they reach the age of 55, or for 7 years following the date they realized the abuse had harmed them.

The new law also institutes a two-year window, during which victims whose cases have expired are allowed to file lawsuits against their abusers and affiliated organizations that allowed or covered for the abuse. This two-year window makes it possible for victims who were abused as children but are now in their 70s or 80s to still pursue justice and accountability.

If you were sexually abused by a Boy Scouts volunteer or troop leader as a child, you may have a legal claim and be eligible to hire an attorney to represent you in a class action lawsuit. Victims who file lawsuits may be able to collect compensation for their experiences and suffering.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.