BBC.COM- Image copyright Getty Images Image caption BSA is one of the largest youth nonprofits in the US, with millions of members
The Boy Scouts of America have filed for bankruptcy protection in a move that the group says will allow it to build a compensation fund for sex abuse victims.
The move follows a number of lawsuits filed against the organisation over claims of sexual abuse, alleging it failed to prevent hundreds of cases.
As a result of the move, all civil lawsuits against it are put on hold.
The group is struggling with declining membership and sex abuse settlements.
“The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologises to anyone who was harmed during their time in scouting,” chief executive Roger Mosby said in a statement.
BSA is one of the largest youth non-profit organisations in the US, with millions of members. The group has faced numerous sex abuse lawsuits over the decades.