Irving-based Boy Scouts of America will be auctioning off a rare art collection next month, including four valuable Norman Rockwell paintings. The proceeds from this unique auction will go directly towards helping more than 80,000 survivors of childhood sexual abuse within the organization. The auction is scheduled for November 15th, and it comes after the Boy Scouts agreed to a $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan in 2022, making it the largest sex abuse settlement in US history.
Barabara Houser, a BSA Settlement Fund Trustee, stated that the majority of survivors are over the age of 65 and have been waiting decades for validation of their claims. The trust has already paid out $41 million to survivors and will continue to do so for many years. The auction will provide additional funding for the trust, which has been funded by cash, investment notes, and oil and gas interests.
The Scouts have made institutional changes to improve child safety, but the impact of the abuse continues to affect survivors. The auction is a way to support these individuals and address the trauma they have experienced. It is unclear how much money the auction will raise, but it is a significant step towards providing assistance and recognition to those who have suffered.
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