I suspect the ABC News show, 20/20, was the cannon shot over the bow inspiring the USA Swimming management to realize that perception is definitely reality and that they have to address all concerns. Now take a moment and let that sink in. Perception, whether it be accurate, poisoned or hallucinatory is still "reality" and USA Swimming got it today!
Swimming World sat down with Chuck Wielgus of USA Swimming and asked him what USA Swimming is going to consider so as to ensure swimming with a USA Swimming affiliated club is not only well above suspicion but safe as possible:
Jason Marstellar: "... [ RE: Youth policies from other organizations such as the Boy Scouts. ] The two primary points are that there would be no one-on-one meetings and zero physical contact allowed between a swimming coach and a minor. The two things a pedophile needs to prey on a child are privacy and the ability to touch. If these two items were adopted the red flags would go up as soon as possible within the potential molestation process.
We asked Wielgus specifically about these two points as well as what USA Swimming is working on going forward to help stop sexual abuse in the sport:
"We are looking at what other youth organizations are doing, and what they have in place that we could apply to USA Swimming. It is a little too early to commit to those two specific things, and say we are going to implement those. However, I would say that those are on the table for us to study and consider among other things."
[Link]
The idea that suggestions are being looked into, and that other solutions are on the table is extraordinarily positive.
Now the courts will decide the case of past liability but moving forward, I am hopeful that this will be confronted head on as policy number one.
2 comments:
Until Chuck Wielgus apologizes on behalf of all the victims whom his organization failed, there will be little satisfaction. In Swimming World's on-line magazine, published just yesterday, Wielgus explains their already in existence procedure, which does not cut the mustard.
For example, just what happens when they receive a complaint is telling. Wielgus explains that first he turns the complaint over to legal counsel.
Okay, that's not addressing the issue. That's just a way to avoid a lawsuit.
Weilgus then writes:
"They then launch an investigation to determine whether or not they can substantiate and validate a complaint. If they cannot validate the complaint, then it essentially dies there."
That's a problem. I'm wondering if that's what happened to my complaint that I sent to Pacific Swimming in 2002. They no longer have it on file. Why? Maybe because it couldn't be validated?
Unfortunately, eight years later it was validated by thirty years of evidence of child molestation and the incarceration of Andy King.
Something is wrong. Until they acknowledge what went wrong, expecially in this case, there will be no going forward. Instead, Wielgus calls this slipping through the cracks. I don't call thirty years of child abuse slipping through the cracks. That was a big gaping hole.
Correction:
Until Chuck Wielgus apologizes TO the victims (on behalf of USA Swimming).
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