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Deleted member 18037
If you read all my posts concerning the matter then you know I'm crystal clear that abusing children matters very much and is not to be tolerated.Would you tell a sexual assault victim that them being assaulted 17 years ago no longer matters???
A blog post publishing a letter 17 yrs old, is old news
You haven't been around this sport as long as some, so you might not see how this awful situation has shifted the conversation. The more we bring to light and discuss this kind of stuff in our community, the harder it is to dismiss the red flags in a sport where the power dynamic has historically leaned away from the parents and kids.
I haven't been around as long as some in gymnastics. But I have been around kids for a really long time. Gymnastics is not so complicated or unique that keeping kids safe and having policies in place are that different that is beyond understanding to some not in the sport for years.
And I have around here long enough to realize things clearly need to change. Because before this story broke and on some discussions around here I expressed shock that little kids travel without their parents.
And I was shot down as not understanding the sport. Well maybe so but I do understand how to mitigate keeping kids safe and how taking aminor child and denying their parents/guardians access to them is a huge red flag. But when I expressed that at the time, I was told I just don't understand, this is how it's done. Or it would impossible to require a parent to to travel. I didn't and still don't understand that one. As in allowing a parent to travel is not the same as requiring it. And denying a parent the right to travel is way different.
My area of expertise is process improvement. It's ongoing in my work. How we can do better is something I do most days, and "we" means me first.
Because I said so and because that's how it's always been done are just not good enough reasons for not making things, better, more efficient and most importantly safer.
I can tell you where that letter would come in handy and matter. Exhibit A in the lawsuit I'd be filing, if it were my kid who was abused. That memo was given to minor athletes, if the parents didn't see it and sign off, yep huge lawsuit. (Not only does my kid have to sign off on her school handbook, so do I) So yes to the plaintiffs, it matters.