LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’ Scouting Association apologized on Thursday to all previous members who had been abused at camps and meetings after the BBC reported that dozens of ex-scouts had begun legal action against the organization.
The BBC said more than 50 people had instructed lawyers to take action in the wake of the scandal surrounding the late TV star Jimmy Savile, who was exposed two years ago as one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders.
“We apologize to all those who have been abused during their time in scouting,” the Association which boats 550,000 members including 100,000 adult volunteers, said in a statement.
“Any abuse of young people is abhorrent and we are deeply sorry for anybody hurt by the actions of abusers.”
However, it rejected the BBC’s figures, saying there had been 48 civil claims made since the Association was formed in 1907, with 36 occurring since the Savile revelations.
It said in the last two years it had paid out 500,000 pounds ($785,600) in compensation to victims.
David McClenaghan, a lawyer representing some of the victims, told the BBC he expected more cases to emerge.
Read more at Reuters
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