The Scout Movement is the UK’s largest youth organisation and its ethos has always been to encourage young people to develop life skills in a fun and challenging environment.
Scout groups across the UK are run by adult volunteers who act in a wide range of roles, including working directly with young people.
Because of its involvement with young people the Scouts has, unfortunately, attracted individuals to it who are willing to exploit their position of power, and proximity to children, in order to abuse those in their trust. Many people have suffered abuse at the hands of a Scout Leader, but also in rarer cases the abuse has been perpetrated by other Scouts.
Many people with responsibility in within Scouting groups already have convictions relating to child abuse, click here to read more.
If you have been abused by someone connected with The Scouts, you can bring a claim for compensation directly against the organisation itself. The Scout Association may be vicariously liable for the abuse perpetrated by its members or anybody closely connected to it, or they may be negligent in allowing the abuse to take place whilst in their care.
Our highly experienced team have brought many claims against the Scouts as well as other youth organisations. We can advise you as to your rights and whether it is possible to bring a claim.
Technically you have until your 21st Birthday to bring a claim, but the courts do recognise that it is difficult sometime for survivors of abuse to come forward and many are only able to come to terms with what happened later in life. As such the courts always use their discretion when deciding whether to allow a claim to be made and our dedicated team at Verisona Law has a great deal of expertise in bringing cases “out of time”.
We pride ourselves on our understanding and sensitivity with our clients but also our tenacity with opponents when pursuing cases. Our aim is to seek redress for people who have suffered abuse, be that financial compensation, or organising treatment or therapy in order to help people seek closure.
In many cases we are happy to act for people on a “no win, no fee” basis and we are happy to speak to you about the most appropriate way of funding your claim.