Alright, USA Swimming.
Yes, you should apologize. Step up the protection of
our youth and ban these idiots who think they can
get their jollies out on the youth of America.
Do not become like the catholic church and try to sweep
this BS under the rug. Take charge and accept the problems
and DEAL WITH IT!
This really is a problematic area. Swim coaches are almost like parents to kids. When a parent sexually abuses a child, what is the likelihood of that child coming forward while it is going on? Unfortunately, not very likely. Same situation with a trusted adult and a kid.
Former teams probably are concerned about getting sued if they say anything negative about a former coach if called during a hiring inquiry. Many teams are uninformed about the true nature of a new coach. Also, some coaches probably land a job while still coaching at another team and the former team is never contacted.
The only thing I can think of is for USA Swimming to provide an anonymous whistleblower hotline (in addition to the current system in place that requires a written report be e-mailed to Chuck W.) where swimmers or parents can lodge a complaint against a particular coach and then USA swimming can have the particular team's safety coordinator or other team rep investigate or follow-up. The name of the person making a complaint would not be given by the person making the complaint and he/she should be instructed at the beginning of the conversation when the complaint is made not to give his/her name. I'm sure that false reports would come in, but I suppose this would be better than not having anything in place at all. If such a thing is put in place, swimmers (of all ages) and parents need to be aware of such a hotline.
Another thing that could be put in place would be an anonymous follow-up questionaire anwered by parents from a former team. In other words, if a coach were to switch teams, his/her USA coaching certification would automatically expire upon leaving a team until USA Swimming could verify by anonymous questionaires answered by parents on the former team that children are safe with this coach. This is a somewhat drastic measure and would present numerous problems. How many parents would need to answer the questionaire? What about teams that needed a coach on deck immediately?
It is too bad that a few bad apples have given our sport a bad name. So many good coaches out there have made such a positive difference for kids. I know my coaches sure made a positive difference in my life. At the same time, sexual abuse affects kids for the rest of their life, so we need to do everything we can to protect them from it.
Edit: I think one good thing about the 20/20 report is that it has made parents more aware of the need to be vigilant about the adults working with their children. Also, parents really need to think about how well they know their own kids, how much they communicate with their own kids, and how much positive support they give their own kids. Sometimes a child who is not getting enough support at home will turn to a "trusted" adult who ends up abusing the child. Abusers seem to have a knack at honing in on children who are emotionally neglected at home.
This really is a problematic area. Swim coaches are almost like parents to kids. When a parent sexually abuses a child, what is the likelihood of that child coming forward while it is going on? Unfortunately, not very likely. Same situation with a trusted adult and a kid.
Former teams probably are concerned about getting sued if they say anything negative about a former coach if called during a hiring inquiry. Many teams are uninformed about the true nature of a new coach. Also, some coaches probably land a job while still coaching at another team and the former team is never contacted.
The only thing I can think of is for USA Swimming to provide an anonymous whistleblower hotline (in addition to the current system in place that requires a written report be e-mailed to Chuck W.) where swimmers or parents can lodge a complaint against a particular coach and then USA swimming can have the particular team's safety coordinator or other team rep investigate or follow-up. The name of the person making a complaint would not be given by the person making the complaint and he/she should be instructed at the beginning of the conversation when the complaint is made not to give his/her name. I'm sure that false reports would come in, but I suppose this would be better than not having anything in place at all. If such a thing is put in place, swimmers (of all ages) and parents need to be aware of such a hotline.
Another thing that could be put in place would be an anonymous follow-up questionaire anwered by parents from a former team. In other words, if a coach were to switch teams, his/her USA coaching certification would automatically expire upon leaving a team until USA Swimming could verify by anonymous questionaires answered by parents on the former team that children are safe with this coach. This is a somewhat drastic measure and would present numerous problems. How many parents would need to answer the questionaire? What about teams that needed a coach on deck immediately?
It is too bad that a few bad apples have given our sport a bad name. So many good coaches out there have made such a positive difference for kids. I know my coaches sure made a positive difference in my life. At the same time, sexual abuse affects kids for the rest of their life, so we need to do everything we can to protect them from it.
Edit: I think one good thing about the 20/20 report is that it has made parents more aware of the need to be vigilant about the adults working with their children. Also, parents really need to think about how well they know their own kids, how much they communicate with their own kids, and how much positive support they give their own kids. Sometimes a child who is not getting enough support at home will turn to a "trusted" adult who ends up abusing the child. Abusers seem to have a knack at honing in on children who are emotionally neglected at home.
