(WWJ) -- The Michigan Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police are asking the public to report any instances of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, as the two agencies have launched a joint investigation targeting the investigation.
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office says the BSA investigation, which was announced at the beginning of June, is similar to the department’s ongoing clergy abuse investigation, which has so far led to four convictions.
Nessel learned back in January that 1,700 sex-abuse claims filed the the Boy Scouts’ ongoing bankruptcy case occurred in Michigan, and her department now believes there may be as many as 3,000 victims.
Nessel on Thursday released a PSA video, urging victims of abuse at the hands of the Boy Scouts to report that abuse, while reminding the public that the joint investigation with MSP is separate from the civil litigation.
“I know speaking about these traumas is difficult,” Nessel says in the video. “That’s why I’m asking Michiganders to show their strength and courage by calling our trained victim advocates. It doesn’t matter if the abuse occurred last month or years ago—you deserve to be heard and we’re here to listen."
Nessel says “it doesn’t matter if the abuse occurred last month or years ago -- you deserve to be heard, and we’re here to listen.”
Anyone who has information about the Boy Scouts of America that they think can help with the investigation is being asked to call the investigation hotline at 844-324-3374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tips can be left anonymously.
Related
If you have information about the Boy Scouts of America that you think would help, please call the investigation hotline at 844-324-3374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tips can be left anonymously.