Editorial: To Effect General Change, USA Gymnastics Must Consider Specifics
Editorial: To Effect General Change, USA Gymnastics Must Consider Specifics
In her independent review of USA Gymnastics' procedures and policies related to the organization's decades-long sexual abuse scandal, former federal prosecutor Deborah Daniels determined the organizations needs to undergo a sweeping cultural change.
In her independent review of USA Gymnastics' procedures and policies related to the organization's decades-long sexual abuse scandal, former federal prosecutor Deborah Daniels determined the following:
"USA Gymnastics needs to undergo a complete cultural change, permeating the entire organization and communicated to the field in all its actions. USA Gymnastics needs to take action to ensure that this change in culture also is fully embraced by the clubs that host member coaches, instructors and athletes."
But in a conference call yesterday morning, Daniels said she did not review any of the lawsuits or criminal charges tied to the child sexual abuse allegations brought against USA Gymnastics and its members.
"My charge was to look at policies in place, the practices in place and identify ways in which they could be improved," Daniels told the media. "I did not go into what any person may or may not have done in the past… This was a forward-looking report and not a rear-view-mirror report."
During the call, USA Gymnastics' board of directors didn't follow up on Daniels' answer by explaining how they would factor any specific sexual abuse cases into their overarching plan. It's possible--and hopefully, probable--that USA Gymnastics will consider the criminal charges in tandem with Daniels' findings. But for her report to truly act as "the blueprint for continually strengthening our policies and procedures to better protect our athletes," the investigation should have hinged on how offenders managed to elude USA Gymnastics' former policies and what the organization can learn from that.
Without scrutinizing the actual events--such as the alleged abuse of at least 95 young gymnasts by Dr. Larry Nassar, coach Bill McCabe, and others--how could USA Gymnastics accomplish the widespread culture change prescribed by Daniels? Without taking into account how these cases were handled within USA Gymnastics, how could they identify and close off loopholes that allowed members to continue abusing gymnasts for decades?
The board's unanimous acceptance of the 70 new policies outlined in the report is a good first step. But with so much at stake, it's imperative that past mistakes are not repeated. And that starts with digging into the ugly truth of what happened over the past 20 years that caused 368 gymnasts to come forward.
Related: Editorial: Why Does Abuse Continue To Plague USA Gymnastics?
"USA Gymnastics needs to undergo a complete cultural change, permeating the entire organization and communicated to the field in all its actions. USA Gymnastics needs to take action to ensure that this change in culture also is fully embraced by the clubs that host member coaches, instructors and athletes."
But in a conference call yesterday morning, Daniels said she did not review any of the lawsuits or criminal charges tied to the child sexual abuse allegations brought against USA Gymnastics and its members.
"My charge was to look at policies in place, the practices in place and identify ways in which they could be improved," Daniels told the media. "I did not go into what any person may or may not have done in the past… This was a forward-looking report and not a rear-view-mirror report."
During the call, USA Gymnastics' board of directors didn't follow up on Daniels' answer by explaining how they would factor any specific sexual abuse cases into their overarching plan. It's possible--and hopefully, probable--that USA Gymnastics will consider the criminal charges in tandem with Daniels' findings. But for her report to truly act as "the blueprint for continually strengthening our policies and procedures to better protect our athletes," the investigation should have hinged on how offenders managed to elude USA Gymnastics' former policies and what the organization can learn from that.
Without scrutinizing the actual events--such as the alleged abuse of at least 95 young gymnasts by Dr. Larry Nassar, coach Bill McCabe, and others--how could USA Gymnastics accomplish the widespread culture change prescribed by Daniels? Without taking into account how these cases were handled within USA Gymnastics, how could they identify and close off loopholes that allowed members to continue abusing gymnasts for decades?
The board's unanimous acceptance of the 70 new policies outlined in the report is a good first step. But with so much at stake, it's imperative that past mistakes are not repeated. And that starts with digging into the ugly truth of what happened over the past 20 years that caused 368 gymnasts to come forward.
Related: Editorial: Why Does Abuse Continue To Plague USA Gymnastics?