All-Star Article In Usa Today Accusing Usasf’s Mishandling Of Child Sex Abuse Reports.

[AndyT_T]

This was a really concerning read. It included a report of a cheer coach getting caught with child pornography on his work computer and becoming a registered sex offender still being able to get a job coaching. Accusations of reports made to USASF about child abuse going years without being investigated. A contractor employed by USASF to investigate reports of abuse alleging they have no staff dedicated to investigation by the reports and that her hours role investigating reports being scaled back to often less than 10 hours a week because of the pandemic. And more.

USASF requires all members to report all allegations of misconduct and/or abuse, but is anything being done when those reports are made?

Sexual misconduct in cheerleading: How USASF mishandles complaints

Edit: *Accusing USASF of mishandling reports of child sexual abuse. How do you edit a title? Can one of the mods edit it for me?

 

[UCFKnights07]

This was a really concerning read. It included a report of a cheer coach getting caught with child pornography on his work computer and becoming a registered sex offender still being able to get a job coaching. Accusations of reports made to USASF about child abuse going years without being investigated. A contractor employed by USASF to investigate reports of abuse alleging they have no staff dedicated to investigation by the reports and that her hours role investigating reports being scaled back to often less than 10 hours a week because of the pandemic. And more.

USASF requires all members to report all allegations of misconduct and/or abuse, but is anything being done when those reports are made?

Sexual misconduct in cheerleading: How USASF mishandles complaints

Edit: *Accusing USASF of mishandling reports of child sexual abuse. How do you edit a title? Can one of the mods edit it for me?

im confused by the first part in this article, he wanted to get fired and never coach again as a reason why he downloaded child content, but then went back to coaching anyways after he was convicted.......

 

[AndyT_T]

im confused by the first part in this article, he wanted to get fired and never coach again as a reason why he downloaded child content, but then went back to coaching anyways after he was convicted.......

That was the (likely fabricated) story he gave police when they interrogated him about what they found on his computer.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Glad this was published. I feel like these stories would be floating around in the cheer world, but then they'd be swept under the rug or excused with no action.

Example: Look at how many gyms are still using CheerMusicPro this season.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Also, unpopular opinion alert:


The "we are all a family" culture of gyms/teams contributes to a culture of grooming/abuse more than people realize.

If you idolize a coach or staff member, and s/he is constantly like:

* "omg little bro/sis is so amazing love you!"

*omg my little Future (WorldsTeam!)

*you're constantly being invited to hang out with this staff member outside cheer. Dinners, you're in their room at travel comps, etc.

*you get invited to vacation with this staff member and their family.

*you get preferential treatment from a staffer (ex: always in stunt privates for free, gifts, etc) because "omg that's my little sis."

When this person harms you in some way, you are not going to say anything. You may even think it's "cool" that this staff member and you have a "secret" and you're one of The Cool Kids.

This is not exclusive to cheer (I saw it most recently play out in volleyball, actually) but I think the concept of family can be twisted and used to groom/abuse.

Add in certain parents who may also think said "attention" from staff may benefit their child, and it's the perfect storm.

 

[UCFKnights07]

That was the (likely fabricated) story he gave police when they interrogated him about what they found on his computer.

understood, but then why would they let him immediately go back to coaching. I feel like being caught with child porn means at least a few night stay in jail, i just found it odd if they caught and he admitted to the child porn why they would release him, or did the article leave out that maybe he made bail.

its also a fail on multiple levels, he was a registered sex offender, clearly his parole officer failed, the city failed, and then when he left for a different gym, the staffing and owners failed. Although i know its a much larger problem then just within cheer, offenders slip through the cracks on all sorts of crimes when out on parole when they shouldnt have.

 

[quitthedrama]

This was a really concerning read. It included a report of a cheer coach getting caught with child pornography on his work computer and becoming a registered sex offender still being able to get a job coaching. Accusations of reports made to USASF about child abuse going years without being investigated. A contractor employed by USASF to investigate reports of abuse alleging they have no staff dedicated to investigation by the reports and that her hours role investigating reports being scaled back to often less than 10 hours a week because of the pandemic. And more.
USASF requires all members to report all allegations of misconduct and/or abuse, but is anything being done when those reports are made?
Sexual misconduct in cheerleading: How USASF mishandles complaints
Edit: *Accusing USASF of mishandling reports of child sexual abuse. How do you edit a title? Can one of the mods edit it for me?

This is the biggest issue. USASF members are either minor aged athletes who likely would not be in any position to report anything, or gym owners/coaches who may or more likely may not choose to report any wrongdoing. Parents are not allowed to be members and the USASF will not communicate with them (I tried to communicate a concern several years ago and was completely ignored). It's a model that encourages secrecy and corruption and they damn well know it and like it that way. Their absolute refusal to address the fact that they still have a man who was convicted of a sexual abuse crime while in the industry on their preferred vendor list and is allowed to go to competitions as a VIP member speaks volumes.

 

[cheerbowgirl101]

I want to send this article to everyone I know and have it gain as much attention as the USA Gymnastics scandal. Why is it made so easy for coaches in sports where little girls and boys are meant to be touched in an appropriate way (to ensure safety/think spotting) by their coaches, for that to turn to inappropriate?