( CNN ) -- A sex abuse support group called on the Boy Scouts of America to oust any official still with the organization who was involved in covering up child sex crimes . The demand by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests was in reaction to a Los Angeles Times story detailing previously sealed files that it said showed scouting officials `` failed to report hundreds of alleged child molesters to police and often hid the allegations from parents and the public . '' The 1,600 `` ineligible volunteer '' files from 1970 to 1991 reviewed by the Times were obtained through a 1992 lawsuit against the Boy Scouts , the newspaper reported Sunday . The `` perversion files '' were a blacklist of alleged sexual molesters , it said . L.A. Times reporter on sexual abuse cover-up in Boy Scouts of America . Although the Scouts learned of most of the abuse allegations after they were reported to authorities , the organization learned about more than 500 instances from boys , parents , staff members or anonymous tips , the paper said . `` In about 400 of those cases -- 80 % -- there is no record of Scouting officials reporting the allegations to police , '' the Times reported . `` In more than 100 of the cases , officials actively sought to conceal the alleged abuse or allowed the suspects to hide it . '' `` Here 's the next step in the Boy Scouts child sex abuse and cover up scandal : Every Scout official who knew of or suspected or concealed these heinous crimes should be ousted and , if possible , prosecuted for failure to report possible child sex crimes to law enforcement , '' SNAP Director David Clohessy said . The files reviewed by the Times were `` from approximately 40 years ago , when the BSA served approximately 5 million young people each year , '' Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith said in a statement Monday . `` We have always cooperated fully ( with ) law enforcement , and now require our members to report even suspicion of abuse directly to local law enforcement , '' Smith said . Oregon Supreme Court orders release of once-secret Boy Scout files . The Boy Scouts `` continuously enhanced its multi-tiered policies and procedures , which now include background checks , comprehensive training programs , and safety policies , '' Smith said . The organization 's current education and training programs to protect children from abuse `` are among the best in the youth-serving community , '' he said . `` It 's not enough to say 'we 're doing better these days , ' `` Clohessy said . `` Scout officials deceived parents , police and the public about child molesters in the past . How can we believe them when they claim now that they 've stopped ? '' Prosecutors should look at the files `` for men who might still be pursued criminally for committing , causing and concealing devastating child sex crimes , '' Clohessy said . `` The Boy Scouts of America believes that one instance of abuse is far too many , '' Smith said . `` We regret there have been times when despite the BSA 's best efforts to protect children , Scouts were abused , and for that we are very sorry and extend our deepest sympathies to victims . '' From the archives : Jury verdict hits Boy Scouts with $ 18.5 million in punitive damages .
A Los Angeles Times story details Boy Scouts ' `` perversion files '' `` Officials actively sought to conceal '' instances of abuse , the Times reports . Rules `` now require our members to report even suspicion of abuse , '' Scout spokesman says . `` It 's not enough to say 'we 're doing better these days , ' `` SNAP says .