Date of Award

Winter 2009

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Family Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Michael Kalinowski

Abstract

The present study examined child sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America (1970 to 1984). In particular, this study explored the role of the institution in child sexual abuse. The data analyzed was gathered from the Boy Scouts Ineligible Volunteer File system and included a sample of 529 adult males who had volunteered to serve as adult role models for the Boys Scouts and were suspected of alleged misbehavior. Analysis of the data revealed a profile of the alleged abusers. These men were typically in their mid-30s, single and had spent an average of 41.4 months in the Boy Scouts before being placed in the file system. It was also found that the Boy Scouts recorded information inconsistently in the file system. The findings of this study may be useful for the Boys Scouts of America to evaluate the current Youth Protection Program.

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