It takes tremendous courage and strength to play the sports our young people play daily. It takes even more strength and courage to come forward to report and tell the story of the sexual abuse they have suffered. Simply reporting the abuse comes with a fear of retaliation, not only personally but professionally. When you play a sport, you want to listen to and respect your coach and everything they ask of you when you are training, but sometimes, that power imbalance between a coach and a student can be abused. After reporting a sexual abuse case and filing a criminal charge against an abuser, you can still file a civil lawsuit to cover the financial and emotional suffering that you experienced. As sexual abuse attorneys, we will listen with compassion and conviction and help find not only the right path for you but the one that you and your family are most comfortable with.
Understanding Vulnerability in Sports
The harmful acts of others are something we shield our families and children from out in the world but we tend to let our guard down when it comes to the sports they love and the places they play them in. Sports and youth sports have been proven to provide children with a long list of benefits for their physical and mental health and their sense of community and confidence. When young athletes become victims of abuse, they often don’t know who to turn to. While under 10% of minor athletes report sexual abuse, it’s said to be markedly underreported.
Children who play sports leave their training and future success to their current coaches. As young children, the gray area between training and inappropriateness can blur even further; without knowing right and wrong, children may let small indicators slip. These small red flags can help parents and children identify groomer behavior.
As children age in youth sports, they rely heavily on their authority figures to guide them in their next steps in the sport and take care of their bodies based on what the sport demands for success. With these opportunities carrying much more weight, if a young athlete faces sexual abuse, they may worry that if they reach out to a trusted adult and tell them, their coach may be fired, other athletes will blame them or they may even face retaliatiation from the coach or any universities they were considering.
Recognizing the Signs of Sexual Abuse in Sports
As parents, we do our best to shelter and protect our children, but as they grow, travel, and trust others, it can be challenging to determine if they have suffered at the hands of another. While there are potential warning signs, many don’t speak out of fear or even shame. While these are not always an indicator of sexual abuse, there are common warning signs to look out for:
- Missing practices
- Loss of interest in the sport
- Declining academic performance
- Avoiding certain coaches
- Complaints of pain
- Withdrawal
- Sudden anxiety
- Unexplained injuries
The heartbreaking and terrifying moment when a parent may suspect that their child is being abused by a trusted adult figure in their sport can leave parents stunned. Knowing where to turn in these moments is crucial, and you should reach out to a sexual assault lawyer immediately.
Breaking the Silence: Resources for Healing and Support
Disturbing and high profile cases in recent years have brought youth sports and the sexual abuse that our young athletes face back into the conversation. However, while this exposure makes it easier for victims to speak up and know that they are not alone it’s essential that the resources available are just as accessible and easy to locate. These resources allow those who need it access to a range of free services such as confidential support, local resources, and long term support resources.
These safe, confidential services were made for those in need. If you need them, you can always reach out; someone will help you.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
- Miami -Dade County Coordinated Victims Assistance Center: 305-285-5900
- Reporting Abuse to Law Enforcement or School Officials
These organizations make it their life’s work to stop abuse, build programs to prevent violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to get them the help they deserve.
Seeking Justice: How an Attorney Can Help
Not just the perpetrator is accountable for the abuse that you or a loved one has suffered. In some instances, a third party or more can also be held legally liable for the circumstances that led up to the assault. Our legal team's priority is handling these cases with care due to the sensitive topics. With years of experience working with experts in assault and rape cases, Mase Seitz Briggs has the expertise and compassion to represent you or a loved one following these life-changing instances. Contact us today to hold those accountable and to get your young athlete back on the field empowered.