Boys Ranch, the storied home for at-risk youth located in the Western Texas Panhandle, continues to find itself at the center of controversy. An Austin-based law firm is suing Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch on behalf of two boys who allege they were repeatedly sexually abused while living at the institution during the 2000s.
The plaintiffs claim that they were “exposed to sexually aggressive behavior” by older residents and that Boys Ranch officials failed to keep them safe. Over the past few years, a number of former Boys Ranch residents have come forward alleging a pattern of physical, psychological, and emotional abuse at the institution.
Boys Ranch has not disagreed that abuse occurred in the past, but says it is focused on keeping residents safe in the future. In response to previous allegations, Boys Ranch has contracted with an Arlington organization that specializes in abuse prevention, while also offering to reimburse former residents for needed therapy sessions.
Boys Ranch spokesperson Cary Varnado told HPPR, “We are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an active legal matter, we're unable to say any more at this time than that we are investigating and will defend the rights of Boys Ranch.”