Wis. men identified in Boy Scout "perversion files"
EAU CLAIRE/MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (WEAU/AP) -- Thousands of pages from the Boy Scouts' so-called "perversion files" have been made public, and the files identify 29 Wisconsin men from 21 communities.
The files stretch from 1960 to 1984. They detail allegations in West Bend, Green Bay, Mosinee, Menomonie, Shorewood, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Milwaukee, Marinette, Beloit, Janesville, Seymour, Mondovi, Waukesha, Sheboygan, Elkhart Lake, Appleton, La Crosse, Monroe, Cedarburg and Pewaukee.
The Oregon Supreme Court ordered 14,500 pages of Boy Scout documents released. They show police chiefs, prosecutors, pastors and even Boy Scout leaders shielded scoutmasters and others who allegedly molested children.
The Boy Scouts of America apologized to victims and their families.
With 29 cases in Wisconsin including four in Western Wisconsin, new Chippewa Valley Council C.E.O. Matt Hill said the organization is putting safety first.
"Any instance of abuse in the boy scouts is one instance too many.... we're working hard to make sure that our scouts and leaders are trained to prevent these incidents from happening again," Hill said.
The Bolton Refuge House in Eau Claire serves male and female victims of sexual assault. Executive director Patricia Stein said she isn't surprised by the reports.
"You had isolation, these were individuals who were trusted with our most prized possession, which is our children. They were individuals who had authority, our kids looked up to them," Stein said.
But she said these cases do happen here, and there are warning signs to look for.
"As parents, we have to have that responsibility and we have that right to ask questions. It doesn't mean that we're being unfair, judging anybody inappropriately, but if it doesn't feel right to you, it's probably not an ok situation."
WEAU 13 News Poll
The Local Job Board - Listings -
Most Popular
- Three hurt in Dunn County rollover crash
- NEW INFORMATION: Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma
- Two taken to hospital after trying to hop between sections of dam
- NEW INFORMATION: House leveled, family making their way home
- Second restaurant named for Rodgers, Braun to open
- Wis. police become more aggressive with redaction
- NEW INFORMATION: Chippewa River at Eau Claire to crest at flood stage Thursday
- Wis. DNR to waive fishing, trail fees for weekend
- Work requirement would reduce food stamp rolls
- Governor proposes changes to DNA sampling during arrests, convictions
