Twelve men are accusing a former Boys & Girls Club employee of repeatedly sexually abusing them as children decades ago, according to a Boys and Girls Club sexual assault lawsuit filed in New York.

Eight men were added to a lawsuit that was originally filed in September against the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester in Kisco, N.Y. The Boys & Girls Club lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in White Plains. Other named defendants include the Town of Mount Kisco, several schools, and a camp, according to GreenwichTime.

Top Class Actions reports on class action lawsuits and other legal news, including cases and other issues about sexual abuse. If you or someone you love was the victim of sexual assault by a Boys & Girls Club leader, you can seek legal help by filling out the free form on this page.

The men allege that as children at the Westchester Boys & Girls Club, they were sexually abused and exploited by James Collins, who was a coach, counselor, mentor, and supervisor who filled a variety of roles in Westchester County in the 1970s through early 1990s. The alleged abuse took place in facilities owned by the defendants, along with Collins’ home. The victims ranged from 10 years old to teenagers at the time of the alleged abuse, the complaint states.

Collins used his position to engage in “grooming behaviors” with the children, including lavishing them with gifts, candy, alcohol, and special attention. Collins purposely targeted children from vulnerable situations, such as from single-parent homes, the lawsuit claims.

While the lawsuit was filed over claims of abuse that took place decades ago, Collins continues to work around minors as a bus driver and janitor at Cedar Knolls School in Hawthorne, N.Y., the lawsuit notes.

Club officials are “deeply heartbroken for any child who has been harmed,” said Alyzza C. Ozer, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester.

“Crimes of abuse run counter to everything our organization stands for, and it is completely unacceptable that harm come to any child under any circumstances,” Ozer said. “Our commitment to the safety of young people is unyielding.”

An investigation by Hearst Connecticut Media has found more than 350 victims across 35 states who claim to have been subjected to Boys and Girls Club sexual assault as children over the past 70 years.

According to an attorney for the Town of Mount Kisco, these allegations are “enormously disturbing and completely repugnant to the values of our community,” but the village is not in a position to substantively comment on the litigation, choosing to reserve comment “until it can reasonably assess the facts of this case and will do so in a manner that is respectful of the parties involved.”

Filing a Boys and Girls Club Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Those who have suffered from Boys and Girls Club sexual assault may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation, as well as hold the organization responsible for any actions or inactions that allowed the abuse to take place.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of something as serious and traumatic as child sexual abuse, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.