The History of Abuse Allegations in Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada’s History of Sexual Abuse

Scouts Canada is this nation’s leading youth organization. It offers a range of activities and programs for young people ages five to twenty-six. If you were sexually abused as a scout or if your child has been sexually abused as a scout, a Halifax sexual abuse lawyer can help.

Scouts Canada was founded in 1914. It is affiliated with the World Organization of the Scout Movement. More than 40,000 young people currently participate in Scouts Canada, so there are plenty of opportunities for sexual abuse.

How widespread has sexual abuse been in Scouts Canada? What are the rights of sexual abuse victims? And if you’ve been abused or your child has been abused as a scout, how will a Nova Scotia sexual abuse lawyer fight for justice on your behalf?

What Do We Know About Scouts Canada Sexual Abuse?

In 2011, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) discovered records of 340 sexual abuse incidents allegedly involving active Scouts Canada leaders. The CBC also learned that Scouts Canada asked some of the victims to sign out-of-court confidentiality agreements.

These agreements prevented the victims from disclosing the amounts they received or even the fact that settlements were reached and, in one case, prevented a victim from making any public statement whatsoever about the abuse.

These same CBC journalists found that twenty-four purported sexual abuse victims filed lawsuits against Scouts Canada between 1995 and 2011, all based on abuse that allegedly took place between 1960 and the 1990s, and thirteen of the victims had signed confidentiality agreements.

How Did Scouts Canada Respond to the CBC Reports?

Two months after the CBC publicized its findings, Scouts Canada’s Chief Commissioner made a public apology on YouTube to “former scouts who suffered” because of the Scouts Canada leaders who took advantage of their leadership roles and committed sexual abuse.

After a review of their records by the public accounting firm KPMG, Scouts Canada admitted (in the same YouTube video) that it did not always report to the police those leaders who sexually abused children. In some cases, those leaders were removed “discreetly.”

Which Scouts Canada Sexual Abuse Cases are Most Notable?

Several cases of individual scout leaders committing sexual abuse stand out for their extremely egregious nature. Those scout leaders include, but are not limited to:

1. Karl Toft: In 1992, former scout leader Karl Toft pleaded guilty to thirty-four charges of sexual abuse over thirty-five years.

2. Richard Turley: In 1996, Richard Turley was convicted of sexually assaulting four boys. Three of the boys were scouts. He received a seven-year prison sentence.

3. John Adams: John Adams, a former scout leader, received a sixteen-month jail sentence in 1997 for sexually assaulting an Ontario scout from 1979 to 1985, when the scout was nine to fifteen years old.

4. Brian Durham: Brian Durham, a former Ontario scout leader, pleaded guilty in 2001 to twenty-seven counts of assault, sexual touching, and abuse. The offences were committed against twenty children from 1991 to 2000.

5. David Wolfe: In 2013, former assistant scout leader David Wolfe received a two-year prison sentence for acts of sexual abuse dating back to the 1960s.

6. Gerald Arthur Conrad: In 2023, former scout leader Gerald Arthur Conrad received a six-year prison sentence for sexually abusing two scouts, ages eleven and twelve, in the 1970s.

How Does Scouts Canada Screen Adult Volunteers?

After the CBC reports in 2011, Scouts Canada toughened its screening practices for adult volunteers. Applicants now must undergo a comprehensive background check, provide multiple references, and complete child and youth safety training.

When a volunteer is suspected of sexual misconduct, Scouts Canada policy now requires the immediate suspension of the volunteer and notification of law enforcement authorities.

Scouts Canada volunteers may not be with a youth member alone. Two fully screened volunteers are required to be present at all times. Additionally, Scouts Canada provides parents with a handbook called How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.

How Can Scouts Canada Sexual Abuse Survivors Win Justice?

Especially after time has passed, a sexual abuse lawsuit may be easier to win than a criminal conviction. With a lawsuit, a sexual abuse survivor may receive substantial compensation that may be used for counseling and treatment expenses.

If you’re a sexual abuse victim filing a lawsuit, you will not pay a lawyer’s fee upfront. A Halifax sexual abuse lawyer represents clients on a contingent fee basis, so you will pay no lawyer’s fee until and unless your lawyer recovers your compensation.

Many abuse claims are resolved out of court. However, if an abuser does not offer you adequate compensation or entirely denies your abuse claim, your lawyer will take your claim to court, explain how (and how extensively) you were abused, and ask the court to find in your favor.

Is There a Deadline for Taking Legal Action?

Since 2015, there is no longer a deadline for sexual abuse claims in Nova Scotia. You may file a sexual abuse claim whenever you are ready to take legal action. However, evidence in sexual abuse cases deteriorates (or gets lost) over time, and the recollections of witnesses fade.

To file a sexual abuse claim that is likely to succeed, you should seek legal advice as quickly as possible from the team at McKiggan Hebert Lawyers.

We Advocate Aggressively for Sexual Abuse Survivors

If a Scouts Canada leader sexually abused you, or if you believe your child has been abused while participating in Scouts Canada, bring your case to McKiggan Hebert Lawyers. Nova Scotia sexual abuse lawyer John McKiggan has decades of experience handling abuse cases.

John McKiggan is recognized internationally for his work representing sexual abuse survivors. The team at McKiggan Hebert has repeatedly been named one of the top ten personal injury law firms in Canada by Canadian Lawyer magazine.

McKiggan Hebert provides the victims of sexual abuse with a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation. Schedule that evaluation by calling McKiggan Hebert Lawyers in Halifax at 902-706-2298. When you come forward, we are ready to fight for the justice you deserve.