Boy Scouts of America: Almost 100,000 make sexual abuse compensation claims

Almost 100,000 alleged victims of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have come forward to claim compensation from the group.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs called it the biggest-ever US sexual abuse case. The claims were filed ahead of a deadline on Monday evening.

Internal files published in 2012 revealed decades of abuse.

BSA - which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year - has apologised to victims, saying it was "devastated".

Negotiations will now begin between the alleged victims, the BSA and their insurers.

The organisation still has a considerable membership - more than two million youth participants ranging in age from five to 21. But this is about half of what it was in the 1970s, a decline that aligns with mounting scrutiny of the organisation.