Arquivos da Perversão: Os Abusos na Boy Scouts of America

Brian Knappenberger is like a dog with a bone when it comes to documentary filmmaking. He is not afraid to ask the right questions of the right people and doesn't let anything keep him from telling the story authentically. As a result, we are left with an anger inducing, no holds barred dose of reality as it pertains to the Boy Scouts of America and their history of protecting their image at the expense of thousands of boys who were subjected to criminal rape at the hands of scout leaders, employees, volunteers and others associated with scouting. Interviews with survivors are sad but it's empowering that they are given a platform to tell their stories. Really an excellent film.

The movie "Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America" is a documentary that deals with unsettling allegations of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The documentary provides a platform for survivors to share their harrowing experiences. Very similar to the documentary "Procession", which explores sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, the director, in this case, Brian Knappenberger embarks on a journey to interview lawyers, journalists, victims of sexual abuse within the Scouts, and senior leaders of the Scouts. This is done to construct a comprehensive view of the decades-long sexual abuse perpetrated against young Boy Scouts.

The most alarming aspect is that the leadership of The Boy Scouts of America was reportedly aware of all the cases. Yet, they seemingly prioritized financial power and chose to "sweep the issues under the carpet". This raises serious questions about the organization's commitment to the safety and well-being of its members.

At times, the documentary tends to be sensational, with a significant number of interviews with young boys who have suffered molestation. There's a sense of an unfinished task. It gives the impression that the movie may not have fully delved into the issues it aimed to tackle.

This is not a particularly well done documentary, but I think it is a very important story. It's the story of how the Boy Scouts of America hid abuse from parents and the authorities. It's also the story of how an immensely powerful organization is using bankruptcy proceedings to evade justice. It's also the story of how an organization can claim on the one hand that it doesn't have any problems with abuse and on the other blame any problems it does have on homosexuals. Because, the logic goes, if they can keep homosexuals out of the organization, they can keep abusers out. But that does not make any sense whatsoever. Just think about the logic of that argument for one second, and you'll see how flimsy it is. It's an important story, as I have said, but I think the history of it is much better detailed in a podcast serious called behind the bastards. So if you want it better understanding of this topic you would do better to listen to that podcast about the founder of The Scouting movement Lord Baden Powell.

I'll start off by saying how incredibly brave it is for these grown men to talk about what they survived as children. This was hard to watch, these poor boys really suffered at the hands of such evil men. To think these children's parents were so unaware of what was happening really bothered me, common was your young boy not acting out of character after the sexual abuse he was going through? This is not a series but it took me a few days to finish because that's how much their torment affected me. Again I am so proud of these men who finally get to tell their stories and can hopefully start the healing process if it has not begun.

A powerful ninety minute documentary detailing the systemic abuse and subsequent cover ups that went on for decades inside the scouts.

I watched this from the point of view of being a boy scout many years back, a time for me which was one of learning, socialising and fun, you can only imagine the horrors faced by these men.

Some incredibly powerful testimonies from victims, and input from those that were involved in The Scouts also, several conflicts in accounts, very interesting.

If you're able to get through this without sobbing, feeling shocked, or feeling positively sick in your stomach, then I'd argue that something is maybe a little wrong.

It's well made, but one criticism I have, is the deliberate attempt to add a bit of antagonism between to of the interviewees, I didn't think it was necessary given the harrowing topic.

It's an outrageous story, genuinely sickening, it makes you wonder how many other organisations were as rotten at their core.

8/10.