Published time: 16 Dec, 2016 12:11
This disturbing new information follows in the wake of a widespread child sex abuse scandal in British football.
The growing global fear of child sex abuse has now spread to US gymnastics, with a report from IndyStar-USA TODAY exposing shocking levels of exploitation over the last 20 years.
After journalists combed through police reports and court cases, a total of 368 cases of gymnasts reporting sexual exploitation has been amassed.
The
detailed report states that in some cases there have been conflicts of
interests, with gym owners reluctant to report abuse as it could be
perceived as bad for business.
A tracking system of officials or coaches that have been fired from gyms is currently not present, with cases of offenders working in different states commonplace.
USA Gymnastics, one of the nation’s most prominent Olympic organizations, has also had issues in enforcing strict ground rules as gyms are independent businesses.
“Nothing is more important to USA Gymnastics, the Board of Directors and CEO Steve Penny than protecting athletes, which requires sustained vigilance by everyone — coaches, athletes, parents, administrators and officials,” the organization replied in a letter to IndyStar.
“We are saddened when any athlete has been harmed in the course of his or her gymnastics career.”
After journalists combed through police reports and court cases, a total of 368 cases of gymnasts reporting sexual exploitation has been amassed.
More than 300 children sexually abused in US gymnastics facilities, investigation reveals https://t.co/qQKcuVI0AS via @IBTimesUK— Andreas Baader (@stop1984) December 16, 2016
A tracking system of officials or coaches that have been fired from gyms is currently not present, with cases of offenders working in different states commonplace.
USA Gymnastics, one of the nation’s most prominent Olympic organizations, has also had issues in enforcing strict ground rules as gyms are independent businesses.
“Nothing is more important to USA Gymnastics, the Board of Directors and CEO Steve Penny than protecting athletes, which requires sustained vigilance by everyone — coaches, athletes, parents, administrators and officials,” the organization replied in a letter to IndyStar.
“We are saddened when any athlete has been harmed in the course of his or her gymnastics career.”