Scouting sexual abuse settlement significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to compensate survivors of

On January 23, 2025, the Scouting Settlement Trust reached a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to compensate survivors of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) but the process is far from over as thousands of victims await justice.

The Trust announced that over 25% of Matrix claims have now been determined—roughly 14,500 out of the 58,000 claims submitted. To date, the Trust has disbursed $70 million to approximately 12,300 survivors, including those who filed Expedited Distribution, Matrix, and Independent Review Option (IRO) claims.

A Matrix claim refers to a standardized system used to evaluate and categorize claims made by survivors of sexual abuse in the context of a settlement process, such as the one established by the Scouting Settlement Trust for survivors within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

The “matrix” is essentially a chart that assigns point values to different factors related to the abuse.

The case of one survivor, who was awarded a judgment of $729,000, serves as a poignant reminder of the protracted and complex nature of the claims process.

Despite the financial victory, the survivor’s path to receiving compensation will be far from straightforward. Forty percent of the award will be deducted for legal fees, and it is expected that only an initial sum of approximately $6,000 will be distributed in the coming months.

The remainder of the $429,000 payout will be delayed by ongoing appeals and the need to move funds from insurance companies into the Trust fund, with no clear timeline for when the full amount will be received.

This latest judgment comes amid a broader wave of legal proceedings that have stretched over decades. The BSA has been under intense scrutiny since the 1990s, when reports began to surface about widespread sexual abuse by Scout leaders. A major 1991 investigation by The Washington Times titled Scouts Honor uncovered disturbing details about how the organization became a magnet for predatory individuals seeking access to boys. The series, which was based on an extensive two-year investigation, exposed thousands of cases of abuse prior to the introduction of the BSA’s Youth Protection program. In their concluding remarks, the newspaper wrote, “The Boy Scouts are a magnet for men who want to have sexual relations with children… Pedophiles join the Scouts for a simple reason: it’s where the boys are.”

The legal and financial aftermath of the BSA’s abuse scandals has been a slow and complex process. The Scouting Settlement Trust, which was established as part of the Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy proceedings, has been working to process the claims of thousands of survivors. As of January 1, 2025, the Trust had issued determinations on 17,843 claims. However, the Trust continues to face challenges in meeting the demand for compensation, with many survivors still waiting for their claims to be processed.

In addition to the claims review, the Trust has been grappling with ongoing litigation. The appeal of the BSA’s reorganization plan is currently before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. This legal battle, combined with the Trust’s lawsuit against non-settling insurers, is further delaying the distribution of funds. The Trust has stated that it cannot provide an estimate for when all claims will be reviewed and paid, and many survivors have been left in limbo as they await resolution.

The deadlines for filing Matrix, Expedited, and Independent Review Option claims have passed, although no deadline has yet been set for Indirect Abuse, Other Protected Party, or Future Abuse Claims. The Trust has continued to refine its claims process, including clarifications for legally authorized representatives and attorneys handling claims on behalf of survivors.

While the milestone of 25% of claims being determined is a step forward, the pace of compensation remains slow and uncertain. The ongoing legal battles, complex claims process, and delays in fund distribution mean that many survivors continue to wait for justice. The long and difficult road to recovery is far from over for the many individuals affected by the widespread abuse within the Boy Scouts of America.

For more information on the claims process, the Trust has encouraged claimants to refer to their website’s FAQs and Monthly Trust Progress Summaries. Those represented by attorneys are advised to direct any questions to their legal representatives. The Trust has also emphasized the importance of keeping them informed if any additional time is needed to respond to requests for further information, due to extenuating circumstances.

As the legal and financial complexities continue to unfold, survivors of abuse within the Boy Scouts remain hopeful that, despite the long delays, justice and compensation will eventually be achieved.