Sexual Abuse in Sports | Edwards Henderson

Youth sports organizations are supposed to be a safe space for young athletes to learn, practice, compete, and grow. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

The introduction of social media initiatives such as #SportToo and #CoachDontTouchMe and general media coverage on the issue has created an increased awareness of the problem of sexual violence against athletes in both elite and recreational sports.

Athletes who have experienced sexual abuse on sports teams should not suffer in silence. Instead, they can seek justice and compensation through a sex abuse lawsuit.

At Edwards Henderson, our sports sex abuse lawyers are committed to helping survivors of sexual abuse in sports recover the justice they deserve. We understand the complexity of the issue.

We are committed to providing survivors and their families with the support and resources needed for healing and moving forward. If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse in sports, contact Edwards Henderson for a free consultation.

What is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is a pervasive and disturbing issue involving any unwanted or non-consensual sexual activity inflicted upon an individual, whether through physical, verbal, or psychological means. In the context of sports, sexual abuse often involves a predatory coach, teammate, or authority figure taking advantage of their position of power and trust to exploit young athletes. Coaches who are supposed to protect and mentor young athletes may instead manipulate and harm them, causing lasting emotional and psychological trauma.

One of the main challenges in addressing sexual abuse in sports is the difficulty young athletes face when reporting the abuse. Many athletes fear losing their careers and are often subjected to social stigma and retaliation if they come forward. Moreover, predatory coaches may use their power to intimidate their targets, further dissuading them from speaking out.

Sexual abuse in sports survivors may experience long-term emotional and psychological trauma, resulting in issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties forming trusting relationships. The lasting impact of sexual abuse may hinder an athlete’s performance, personal development, and overall well-being.

What is Grooming?

Grooming describes the process by which abusers use manipulation and coercion to persuade children or vulnerable individuals into engaging in sexual activities. In youth sports, grooming is a particularly insidious problem as coaches often hold a position of trust and authority over young athletes.

Creating trust is an essential part of the grooming process. Coaches often begin by showering their targets with attention, compliments, and gifts. This creates a sense of specialness and admiration.

Groomers also rely on isolation as a tactic and may invite athletes to their homes, take them on trips, or arrange private training sessions away from others. The groomer creates a sense of dependency and secrecy by isolating the athlete. This makes identifying the abuse and speaking out more challenging.

Another aspect of grooming in youth sports is the use of social capital. Coaches may strategically build relationships with influential individuals within the sports community, such as other coaches, administrators, or parents.

Social standing not only increases the coach’s authority and power but also provides a shield of immunity against accusations. When an abuser has a strong network of support, the survivor is more likely to feel that others won’t believe their claims or take them seriously.

Grooming strategies may differ depending on the sex of the target. While some tactics are similar, a sexual predator may use specific methods to exploit the vulnerabilities of male or female athletes.

By recognizing the signs of youth sports sex abuse and taking action, we can help create a safe and supportive environment for young athletes to achieve their dreams without fear of exploitation or abuse.

Sexual Abuse in Sports Statistics

Sports sexual abuse is extremely underreported, making determining its true extent difficult. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, 93 percent of respondents who experienced sexual harassment or unwanted contact during their time in sports did not report it. Additionally, nearly 28 percent of participants in the same survey agreed that sexual, emotional, or physical misconduct was a common issue in sports.

Several recent high-profile cases highlight the importance of addressing sexual abuse in sports, including the lawsuit against USA Taekwondo (USAT). Numerous athletes came forward, accusing taekwondo coach, Marc Gitelman, and USAT officials of sexual abuse and harassment.

The lawsuit went all the way to the California Supreme Court. The Court ruled that youth sports organizations like USAT legally must protect athletes from sexual abuse.

Another prominent case involves track and field coach John Rembaom, who was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by multiple female athletes from the Universities of Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas, where he worked as an assistant coach.

Athletes, parents, coaches, and sports organizations must recognize and acknowledge this issue and take action to prevent it from happening in the future. By raising awareness and speaking out about these cases, we can work towards creating a safer and more respectful environment in sports.

Coach Sexual Abuse: Recent Cases + Controversies

The abuse of power and trust is a heinous act, yet predators still seek out youth coaching jobs to commit these crimes. In recent years, several highly publicized cases involving coaches who allegedly sexually abused young athletes under their supervision have shed light on the need for more strict policies and protocols in sports organizations to protect athletes from sexual abuse and misconduct.

USA Gymnastics Sexual Abuse

Gymnastics sexual abuse may be perpetrated by coaches, trainers, doctors, healthcare staff, physical therapists, and even other teammates. Sexual violence towards gymnasts is most often committed by coaches who use their position of power to groom and manipulate their young athletes. These abusers use trust and the allure of success in the sport to exert control and abuse their athletes.

The USA Gymnastics scandal made headlines as it was revealed that over 500 gymnasts had been sexually abused by Larry Nassar, a team doctor, and other USA Gymnastics staff over two decades.

Nasser was given 175 years in prison and the survivors received over $380 million in compensation. This gymnastics sexual abuse scandal shed light on the toxic culture allowed to flourish within the organization, where athletes were made to feel their success was more important than their well-being.

Penn State Football Coach Scandal

One of the most infamous cases of sexual abuse in sports involves Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at Penn State University. Sandusky used his position of power to prey on young boys, some of whom he met through his nonprofit organization for helping at-risk and underprivileged children called The Second Mile. The scandal broke in November 2011 with the release of a grand jury report detailing Sandusky’s sexual abuse of minors.

After a highly publicized trial, Sandusky was convicted on June 22, 2012, of 45 counts of sexual abuse against 10 boys. The case shook Penn State and the sports world to its core. Additionally, top university officials and administrators faced criminal charges for allegedly lying to authorities.

The Penn State football coach scandal was a tragic reminder of the prevalence of sexual abuse in sports and the need for increased measures to protect young athletes. It also raised questions about the sports industry’s handling of such incidents and whether there is a cover-up culture

South Broward County Football Coach Sex Abuse

In 2022, a former college football player and assistant coach at South Broward High School in Florida was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual battery with a minor between the ages of 12 to 17. One athlete’s mother discovered explicit messages between the two on her phone. This prompted an investigation of the South Broward high school football coach which led tosubsequent charges.

This case highlights the importance of listening to and believing young athletes who report sexual misconduct. It also underscores the need for thorough background checks and safeguards in the hiring and training of sports coaches and personnel.

OSU Wrestling Coach Sexual Abuse

Ohio State University (OSU) faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse by their former wrestling team doctor, Dr. Richard Strauss, claiming that he sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment during his time at OSU. The allegations span over two decades, from the late 1970s to the 1990s.

An OSU investigation found that Strauss committed at least 1,429 acts of fondling and 47 rapes over the course of his career. It also revealed that university officials had knowledge of Strauss’s behavior but failed to take action.

The former OSU wrestling coach and current GOP Representative, Jim Jordan, also faced scrutiny for his knowledge and lack of action regarding the abuse. However, Jordan denies any knowledge of the abuse and asserts that he would have intervened had he known.

In response to the allegations, OSU issued a public apology and offered a settlement, but eventually argued that any undecided cases should be dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

In 2023, Ohio State University requested that the Supreme Court review a decision by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision allowed more than 230 men to sue the university over Strauss’s abuse. However, the Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear the case, upholding the decision and allowing the lawsuits to move forward.

USA Swimming Coach Sex Abuse

In 2020, six women filed civil lawsuits against USA Swimming, its local associations in California, and three now-banned coaches, Everett Uchiyama, Andrew King, and Mitch Ivey. They alleged that USA Swimming, including former executive director Chuck Wielgus, and other top officials, the local associations, and clubs were aware of the predatory behavior of the coaches but refused to address it. This created a culture of abuse that exposed dozens of underage swimmers to sexual abuse and harassment.

One of the plaintiffs stated that USA Swimming prioritized winning and protecting the coaches over protecting the children. The allegations include coaches having sexual relationships with underage swimmers, coaches watching underage swimmers shower and change, and coaches engaging in inappropriate behavior such as kissing, fondling, and masturbating in front of the swimmers.

This case highlights the potential responsibility of third-party organizations in preventing and responding to sexual abuse in sports. Organizations such as USA Swimming must provide a safe environment for athletes and take appropriate action when allegations of sexual abuse arise. Failure to do so may result in severe consequences for both the survivors and the organization itself.

Basketball Coach Sexual Abuse Allegations

In 2023, multiple basketball coaches and staff members across different universities were accused of sexual abuse, coupled with claims of grooming and a lack of response from the authorities.

Two former New Mexico State men’s basketball players sued the coaching staff and other administrators for not taking action after they reported being sexually assaulted by teammates.

Similarly, a former player and assistant coach at Vanderbilt University accused a former assistant coach of sexually assaulting her repeatedly in the early 2000s. The coach and the university were sued for their lack of response and for enabling the abuse.

Does the Sports Industry Cover Up Sexual Abuse and Misconduct?

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for youth sports organizations to cover up sexual abuse and misconduct. Incentives may entice individuals within these organizations to turn a blind eye rather than be vigilant about the protection of athletes.

For instance, coaches and staff may avoid reporting abuse out of fear of losing their jobs or harming their team’s reputation. Furthermore, there is a pervasive belief that sports organizations always have the best interests of their athletes, employees, and children in mind.

This leads to an attitude of trust, which may discourage people from speaking up about sexual abuse and misconduct. Additionally, many organizations lack proper oversight, leaving room for sexual abuse to go unchecked.

It takes a tremendous amount of bravery and vulnerability for survivors to come forward and share their stories, but it’s a critical aspect of holding perpetrators and third-party organizations accountable. Reporting sexual abuse may bring a sense of justice to survivors and also prevent future abuse from occurring.

Taking Action after Sport Sexual Abuse: How to Report + Legal Tips

Sexual abuse in sports may leave survivors feeling powerless and alone, but there are ways to take action and get help. If you experienced sexual abuse in sports, the most important step is reporting the abuse.

Here are some steps to take after experiencing sexual abuse in sports:

1. Reach out for support: Whether it’s from a family member, friend, or a coach from another team, speak with someone who can offer support and help you take action.
2. Document the abuse: Write down any details you remember about the abuse, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions of the incidents. Keep any physical evidence, such as text messages, emails, or photographs, pertaining to your case.
3. Report to the appropriate authorities: Contact the police or child protective services for help with the specific reporting process and steps to take. Another helpful resource for reporting sexual abuse in sports is SafeSport, a nonprofit organization committed to ending all forms of abuse in sports. SafeSport provides a platform for reporting sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as resources for prevention and response.
4. Seek legal advice: Consult with an experienced sex abuse attorney to explain your legal rights and options, including filing a lawsuit against the perpetrator or the institution responsible for the abuse. Laws like the Child Victims Act may have extended the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to come forward and seek justice.

Coach Sexual Abuse Attorney: Edwards Henderson Attorneys Can Help You

If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse or misconduct from a coach in youth sports, the legal team at Edwards Henderson can help you seek justice and hold those responsible accountable.

Our experienced sex abuse lawyers have a proven track record of fighting for the rights of survivors and can guide you through the legal process of seeking compensation for damages.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation and discuss your options for moving forward.