A lot of truth in this. This is a widespread problem. Anytime adult males are put in positions of power and authority over children and have unique access there have to be red flags up. In sports coaching, pediatric medicine, education, the clergy etc. "society" needs to become more sophisticated when it comes to recognizing in advance and/ or weeding out abusers and there needs to be a concerted effort made to encourage victims to go to a "safe" authority (parent, teacher whoever) right away after an incident.
I completely agree.
To take it a step further here, there needs to be a greater sense of protection over kids within society. Victim blaming is unfortunately far too common and seems to prevent many kids, and maybe even parents, from speaking up. There needs to be a safer way of reporting, and the benefit of the doubt must be given to victims. In this, I do not mean that due process isn't warranted. But generally I get the sense that in too many cases people blame the victim, because
surely, they must be lying! "Doctor/coach/teacher/Mrs Jones would NEVER do that!" So it seems that they blame the victim and the media for defamation of the accused, etc while crying for due process, but in reality, they're ALSO judging without due process, "How do we know it's true?! Kids lie all the time! I know the person blamed, and they're so kind that it's impossible!" Because, uh, an adult with a career and family on the line would never lie?
I mean goodness, see the Brock Turner case!!
I'm not saying the victim is always truthful or should be believed without any scrutiny, but goodness, conduct a solid investigation, please. For
everyone's benefit.
Until this happens, I'm afraid there won't be much improvement overall... Though maybe in some select niches. But those abusers would just move from those programs/professions/activities to ones where it's easier to regularly abuse others, because it's in their nature, sick as it is.
USAG (hopefully?) stepping up and finding a way to mitigate the abuse would likely help our gymnasts, surely. And as a mom, I hope they do. But they can't fix the world. That's up to all of us, collectively.