386 gymnasts allege sexual abuse over 20 years, report says
Over the past 20 years 368 gymnasts have alleged some form of sexual assault,according to an investigation conducted by the Indianapolis Star/USAToday.
The report contains details about various forms of sexual abuse against gymnasts at the hands of coaches, gym owners and other adults working in gymnastics in the U.S, CBS Sports reports.
The nine-month investigation concluded that coaches found to have committed abuse were allowed to move from gym to gym, and that USA Gymnastics often turned a blind eye to the horrific infractions. Victims also were often met with skepticism when they reported abuse, the report concludes.
According to the report, the “vast majority of officials put children’s well-being ahead of business and competition, some officials at every level have not.”
The report claims that USA Gymnastics was negligent in its tracking of predatory coaches, who sometimes went without any form of punishment. Coaches suspsected of sexual abuse were allowed to keep their jobs as long as they accepted special monitioring, while others were allowed to finish the season. And, in 2009, USA Gymnastics named Doug Boger Coach of the Year, despite being under investigation for alleged sexual abuse.
In August, USA Gymnastics hired a former prosecutor to provide advice on how to strengthen its policies, and established a policy review panel.
“USA Gymnastics is proud of the work it has done to address and guard against child sexual abuse,” the organization said in materials provided to the Indianapolis Star.
A former USA Gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nasser, was charged in November with sex abuse of a child under 13.
