I’m aware this will be inflammatory, but I feel like it’s so important.
I’ve seen SO many people question, criticize, denounce, defy Safe Sport. I’m not saying it’s a perfect system (yet), but I absolutely say that it is vital and necessary.
If you haven’t yet, please watch the documentary “Athlete A” on Netflix.
To those of you wondering why survivors don’t come forward…because in many cases they DO, and they aren’t believed. They are vilified. They are minimized. Their reputations are questioned. In Kyle Steven’s case, she spoke up at age 6 and her parents didn’t believe her, taking the side of their friend Larry Nassar…continuing to think she was a liar until the truth came out about Nassar.
To those of you wondering why an independent body like SS is necessary…because in many cases, the individual governing bodies cover it up (like USAG and Michigan State. Nassar’s abuse was reported by many girls and women to both of those organizations, in addition to agencies like CPS, and he still was allowed to continue abusing hundreds of girls while appearing to be an esteemed man in society).
Why is Safe Sport needed? Because, in Kyle Steven’s words, “Our society is conditioned to put the reputation of a perpetrator above the welfare of a child.”
If you struggle to understand SS, I encourage you to watch Athlete A and the many, many interviews etc. on Youtube surrounding the Larry Nassar debacle. It is absolutely heartbreaking and makes it crystal clear why it is necessary. It also makes one wonder just how many complaints USEF has received about big name trainers or riders but won’t risk the reputations for the sake of protecting innocents.