WAG Mckayla Maroney/gymnastike

[Gymnastisism]

RIP Gymnastike

 

[bogwoppit]

Yep, that is my thought too.

 

[happychaos]

RIP Gymnastike

Nah.....the legal action is against websites that posted the pictures.

Can of worms.....if she did not take the pictures, and if she sent them to anyone, all parties involved could be charged with something as severe as a felony in some states.... I sure hope she is getting good legal advice.

 

[bogwoppit]

USA gymnastics will probably not take kindly to a website that it grants press permissions to when said website posts links to nude photos of USAG's underage elite gymnasts.

Gymnastike makes it's money off the footage it records using press passes granted by USAG.

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

USAG has shown in the past that it does not tolerate child abuse in any form. I bet @dunno is being very quiet about this for a good reason.

 

[happychaos]

USA gymnastics will probably not take kindly to a website that it grants press permissions to when said website posts links to nude photos of USAG's underage elite gymnasts.

Gymnastike makes it's money off the footage it records using press passes granted by USAG.

Talk aout biting the hand that feeds you.

USAG has shown in the past that it does not tolerate child abuse in any form. I bet @dunno is being very quiet about this for a good reason.

I didn't realize Gymnastike was that dependent on USAG.

I wonder how this will play out for Makayla with USAG. I just read that taking these sort of photos (underage) is illegal, even if the picture is of oneself, and even if it was NOT distributed. I don't think this would ever be prosecuted, but it is still considered child p*** nonetheless. If it is discovered that she did send these types of pictures to someone, I can't imagine USAG will overlook it, given their zero tolerance policy.

 

[bogwoppit]

I do not imagine that USAG would punish a victim of a crime, they are not a legal entity just the gymnastics governing body in the USA.

I do not really see why focussing on the victim is helpful. The issue is the distribution by the thieves/hackers and the links that were shared.

I do not think any one in their right mind would consider punitive actions against a 17 year old theft victim, regardless of the legality of taking nude personal photos.

Gymnastike needs press credentials to get on the floor at any meet in the world. They need USAG to approve them in order to get credentials for FIG meets around the world. The NCAA works in much the same way. Without video of elite meets they will not be nearly as useful.

It is in their interest to fix this now.

 

[profmom]

Happychaos, I am extremely perplexed by your repeated attempts to make McKayla Maroney out as the bad guy here. Can we please focus on the perpetrators and facilitators of serious crimes here -- the people who distributed the photos without the knowledge or consent of the people to whom they belonged and the people who facilitated this distribution?

Gymnastike is in big trouble, and deservedly so. I don't think this is fixable.

 

[happychaos]

I do not imagine that USAG would punish a victim of a crime, they are not a legal entity just the gymnastics governing body in the USA.

I do not really see why focussing on the victim is helpful. The issue is the distribution by the thieves/hackers and the links that were shared.

I do not think any one in their right mind would consider punitive actions against a 17 year old theft victim, regardless of the legality of taking nude personal photos.

Gymnastike needs press credentials to get on the floor at any meet in the world. They need USAG to approve them in order to get credentials for FIG meets around the world. The NCAA works in much the same way. Without video of elite meets they will not be nearly as useful.

It is in their interest to fix this now.

Happychaos, I am extremely perplexed by your repeated attempts to make McKayla Maroney out as the bad guy here. Can we please focus on the perpetrators and facilitators of serious crimes here -- the people who distributed the photos without the knowledge or consent of the people to whom they belonged and the people who facilitated this distribution?

Gymnastike is in big trouble, and deservedly so. I don't think this is fixable.

I think you're right that no one would consider punitive action against Makayla right now. No way. But, by taking legal action she is essentially admitting that the photos are legit, AND she is shining a big spotlight on herself. If it is discovered that someone else was involved in taking the photos, that person will be in big trouble. If she sent or showed the photos to anyone SHE could be in big trouble, as could the recipient of the photos.

I think that if it is discovered that she sent the photos to someone, USAG will have to take action (suspension) against her, even if she is not prosecuted legally. Their hands would be tied. Do you think I am wrong on that? USAG is trying so, so, so hard to publicize their zero-tolerance policy, I just can't see how they could overlook it.

I feel strongly about this issue because I have seen how damaging early s**ualization is to girls. As a social worker, and as a foster parent, I have seen the heartbreak that comes from being forced to grow up too quickly. Many studies show that adverse outcomes increase when early s**ualization occurs. It is not healthy to have a culture that normalizes teen girls photographing themselves nude.

 

[skschlag]

I am thinking she has a case either way. The face pictures ARE her. even if someone put her face on someone's body, it is still defamation of character, theft of her pictures, etc. So she may have a lawyer, doesn't mean the entire picture is real.

If she made a mistake and did take the pictures, then there is still nothing against her. There is no where that said she sent them. Just that they were in her icloud. I am sorry..that is her business. Appropriate, probably not. But still nothing to suspend or prosecute her over.

I think we should use this to teach our children how things on social media can hurt them. It is so hard to imagine, if you think your photos are safe, that this could happen...

 

[bogwoppit]

I just think that by focussing the blame on the victim, instead of the criminal, you victimize her a second time.

As a social worker I would imagine that you understand that protecting the rights of child victims of abuse should be paramount.

At 17 I imagine she is a sexual being, that does not just happen when we turn 18. She has the perfect right to explore that in the privacy of her own home in any way she sees fit.

She does not deserve to be further victimized by people accusing her of a crime.

 

[littlegirlsdream]

She was the victim of this outrageous invasion of privacy and the publishing of an article with links that are criminal is something we should all stand strongly against. She was a child when the photos were taken and all parties involved should be prosecuted and the victim needs help.
I do not blame her in the slightest but I do believe she needs help and I hope she gets it. I have a young gymnast that followed her accounts and even prior to any of this happening, I blocked her from doing so. The images that were being protrayed at that time and the comments that were horrifically inappropriate were not something I wanted my daughter to idealize. I was suprised Long ago that the behaviour was being tolerated by usag.
Please Do not get me wrong. That does not mean I blame the victim what has happened is criminal, period.

 

[happychaos]

I just think that by focussing the blame on the victim, instead of the criminal, you victimize her a second time.

As a social worker I would imagine that you understand that protecting the rights of child victims of abuse should be paramount.

At 17 I imagine she is a sexual being, that does not just happen when we turn 18. She has the perfect right to explore that in the privacy of her own home in any way she sees fit.

She does not deserve to be further victimized by people accusing her of a crime.

Sure, she has the right to explore in the privacy of her own home. If, however, ANYONE else was involved in taking, sending, or receiving pictures, this gets a LOT more complicated for her (and USAG). I really, really hope that this ends well for her. I hope that this spotlight does not illuminate anything else.

I don't think that pointing out some legal issues she (and USAG) may be dealing with equates to victimizing her a second time. I admire her desire to see justice done. I am glad that she is fighting against websites that display this type of image. I hope she wins!

And please do not imply that I do not protect the rights of child abuse victims. You have absolutely no clue on this one..... I have cared for, under my own roof, children who have been victims of things that would literally make you throw up.

It is my desire to help other girls avoid going through what Makayla is that has brought me so much criticism on this forum.

 

[wnl256]

Sure, she has the right to explore in the privacy of her own home. If, however, ANYONE else was involved in taking, sending, or receiving pictures, this gets a LOT more complicated for her (and USAG). I really, really hope that this ends well for her. I hope that this spotlight does not illuminate anything else.

Unfortunately I think you are right. This could turn out very badly for her, and she really needs to get some expert legal advice pronto. It would have been better for her to say nothing at all on the matter publicly, and just work directly with the authorities as they required.

Gymnastike showed a complete lack of proper judgement by linking to the images. That is just inexcusable, and if there is fallout from this it would be well deserved. But even without linking to the pictures, is this even a story Gymnastike should have reported? They have to decide if they want to be a gymnastics resource or just another trashy celebrity gossip "news" site.

 

[bogwoppit]

And please do not imply that I do not protect the rights of child abuse victims.

I implied no such thing.

 

[Terry]

I am not sure where people are getting the information that McKayla herself could in any way be implicated in any criminal behavior. It is my understanding that if indeed photographs of a minor are deemed "pornographic," (and i am not sure at all that is the case here) the minor is not implicated in any illegal behavior. if someone has an actual legal cite which shows otherwise, I would appreciate seeing it.

 

[Terry]

She was the victim of this outrageous invasion of privacy and the publishing of an article with links that are criminal is something we should all stand strongly against. She was a child when the photos were taken and all parties involved should be prosecuted and the victim needs help.
I do not blame her in the slightest but I do believe she needs help and I hope she gets it. I have a young gymnast that followed her accounts and even prior to any of this happening, I blocked her from doing so. The images that were being protrayed at that time and the comments that were horrifically inappropriate were not something I wanted my daughter to idealize. I was suprised Long ago that the behaviour was being tolerated by usag.
Please Do not get me wrong. That does not mean I blame the victim what has happened is criminal, period.

I totally agree with this. Although I am not sure what USAG could have done about it.

 

[Terry]

I am not sure where people are getting the information that McKayla herself could in any way be implicated in any criminal behavior. It is my understanding that if indeed photographs of a minor are deemed "pornographic," (and i am not sure at all that is the case here) the minor is not implicated in any illegal behavior. if someone has an actual legal cite which shows otherwise, I would appreciate seeing it.

I should state that I have not seen these photos, do not want to and thus I am not aware of the actual content.

 

[Canadian_gym_mom]

I am not sure where people are getting the information that McKayla herself could in any way be implicated in any criminal behavior. It is my understanding that if indeed photographs of a minor are deemed "pornographic," (and i am not sure at all that is the case here) the minor is not implicated in any illegal behavior. if someone has an actual legal cite which shows otherwise, I would appreciate seeing it.

If you take or have naked pictures taken of yourself and you are under 18, and you send them to anyone else it is considered distribution of child pornography. The fact whether the photos are real or photoshopped is irrelevant.

Link Removed

 

[Terry]

If you take or have naked pictures taken of yourself and you are under 18, and you send them to anyone else it is considered distribution of child pornography. The fact whether the photos are real or photoshopped is irrelevant.

Link Removed

I still do not see what this has to do with McKayla. She was not "sexting" -- She did not send these pictures to anyone.

 

[profmom]

If USAG wants to start going after athletes who have taken spicy selfies, they will have a big hole to fill on the men's world's team.

Once again, I find it disturbing that people are now discussing? Advocating for? USA G'S punishment of a victim of a serious crime. I would rather discuss whether Gymnastike's agents can be prosecuted under relevant criminal statutes. Maroney likely has a good private cause of action against them.