Man sues Boy Scouts, church, alleging past abuse

Page 1 of 3

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

32 Overcast
Forecast Subscriber Services |
|

News | Sports | Holidays 2012 | Entertainment | Business | Food | Lifestyle | Health | Marketplace
PHILADELPHIA NEWS SOUTH JERSEY COMMUNITIES AND CULTURE POLITICS EDUCATION OBITUARIES NATION/WORLD WEATHER TRAFFIC LOTTERY

Man sues Boy Scouts, church, alleging past abuse

Aubrey Whelan, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
POSTED: Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 7:35 PM

0
Like

Saying he was sexually abused for almost a year by a scoutmaster, a Wilmington man has filed suit against the Boy Scouts of America and the West Chester Latter-day Saints church that sponsored his troop.
Melvin Novak, 28, said at a news conference Wednesday that his childhood "just fell apart" after he was abused by Vance Hein, a family friend, a prominent member of his Mormon congregation, and the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 84. As a matter of policy, The Inquirer does not identify victims of sexual abuse. However, Novak and his attorneys said they wanted to spread awareness about his case and sexual abuse in general.
Advertise Here

The suit contends that the Boy Scouts concealed information and downplayed the prevalence of sexual abuse in scouting, and that scout officials should have kept Hein away from contact with young boys. The suit, which seeks $550,000 in damages, is among the first in Pennsylvania dealing with alleged sexual abuse by scoutmasters since the Boy Scouts released files dating to 1965 that detailed the identification and expulsion of more than 1,200 sexual abusers from their ranks. "We need to make people more aware of what's going on and the danger inherent in allowing young boys to be part of a program that goes unsupervised and unchecked," said Stewart Eisenberg, Novak's attorney. Novak said that the abuse began when he was 14 and continued for nearly a year. In the suit, he said Hein "groomed" him for abuse, promising entrance into a special "brotherhood" if he performed sexual acts. "From the time I was 8 years old, he was like Santa Claus," he said, adding that Hein bought him a new computer, mentored him, and even took him on a trip to Canada. It was after the trip to Canada - during which, Novak said, Hein sexually assaulted him - that Novak finally told his parents that he had been the victim of abuse. He had been skipping school and running away from home as a result of the abuse, he said, and his parents were at a loss. "I just lost it," he said. "I just wanted everything to stop." Novak eventually reported the abuse to police, and Hein was sentenced to 15 years' probation in 2000. In August, he was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in state prison for possessing child pornography. Hein said that the abuse destroyed his childhood. He completed high school only through a home-school program. He never finished college. He said he has had trouble holding down jobs and sustaining relationships, has struggled with depression and anxiety, and, from ages 15 to 21, dealt with a serious substance-abuse problem. The Mormon church places high value in scouting, he said, and joining the Boy Scouts was "kind of expected - it's a calling." Hein, he said, was a prominent church member beloved by many congregants. "This guy is still worshiped in my church today," he said. Novak's suit names Hein, the Boy Scouts of America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Chester County Boy Scouts Council, and the Marshallton Second Ward Mormon Church as defendants. Church officials could not be reached for comment. Chester County Boy Scouts council officials said they had not seen the lawsuit, but expressed regret for any abuse against scouts. "Any instance of child victimization or abuse is intolerable and unacceptable," the council said in a statement, adding that the

From the News Desk

Latest Videos

Latest News Stories

Phila. City Council already wants to change new zoning code Meek Mill tour up to a Philadelphia judge Man sues Boy Scouts, church, alleging past abuse 54 Paulsboro residents join in suit against Conrail

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20121212_Man_sues_Boy_S... 12/12/2012

Man sues Boy Scouts, church, alleging past abuse

Page 2 of 3

PHA board nominees headed to final vote More News

News Blogs
PHILLYCLOUT:

City Council's decision on zoning bills will shape neighborhood commercial corridors
16 minutes ago CAMDEN FLOW:

Camden bans school bake sales in its fight against childhood obesity
about 2 hours ago

Stay Connected
Get the latest news and events delivered to your email. Sign up now! Enter email address to sign up
Submit Query

Aubrey Whelan INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Boston Proper Sale

www.BostonProper.com Shop the Boston Proper Semi-Annual Sale for Must-Have Winter Styles!

0 COMMENTS

Recommend

You May Also Like

How New iPads are Selling for Under $40

FROM THE WEB FROM THE WEB

How to Improve Memory with Scientifically Designed Brain Exercises

Sorry Fellas: Women Who Broke Hearts By Coming Out As Lesbians (Bossip)

10 Creepiest Abandoned Morgues on Earth (Environmental Graffiti)

What Happens When You Take a Testosterone Supplement

How to Get Freakishly Long Eyelashes

Pit bull dies after being set ablaze; reward offered Philly.com Philly.com

Mobster Chuckie Merlino dies in federal prison in Texas Philly.com

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20121212_Man_sues_Boy_S... 12/12/2012

Man sues Boy Scouts, church, alleging past abuse

Page 3 of 3

Sign in to post a comment

Register to comment
Why are we asking you to register? We've made some changes to increase the quality of the user experience and dialogue, and reduce the number of inappropriate or offensive posts. You're now required to have a registered username and account before adding a comment. This will improve the experience for everyone. We apologize for the inconvenience. Join the conversation! SIGN UP NOW

Already Registered?
Sign In Email address

Password

SIGN IN Forgot Password?

Partners:
Philadelphia City Paper News | Sports | Entertainment | Business | Food | Lifestyle | Health The Inquirer Digital Edition Subscriber Services Daily News Digital Edition Subscriber Services Philly DealYo Parade Magazine

Classifieds:
Jobs | Cars | Real Estate | Rentals | Marketplace | Celebrations | Business Directory | PATestDrive.com

Site Services:
Advertise on Philly.com | Mobile Site | Apps

About Philly.com | Contact Us | Terms of Use & Privacy Statement | Copyright 2012 Copyright 2012 Interstate General Media, LLC

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20121212_Man_sues_Boy_S... 12/12/2012