Blanket statement to sexual abuse victims receives mixed response
Scouts Canada’s blanket apology to anyone who was sexually abused by its volunteer leaders has met with praise and criticism from sexual-abuse counselors and former victims. Steve Kent, the organization’s chief commissioner, said in a video and written statement that the organization “sincerely and deeply” apologizes to any and all former scouts who suffered harm at the hands of leaders. The organization has been under pressure to respond to allegations that it kept confidential lists of known pedophiles associated with Scouting and kept the abuse suppressed by signing confidentiality agreements with victims. While sexual abuse counselors have praised the cathartic benefit of a public statement, a few former victims have come forward to say it’s “too little, too late.” Scouts Canada’s promise to review its child protection policies also was greeted with skepticism, with one lawyer calling it “a whitewash.”