Deafening Silence Addendum

By Helen Wheelock

Deafening Silence Addendum: Articles and Resources culled during the research for this piece. This is presented as a source for those who wish to explore this subject further. They were not part of the article published by the WBCA. For recent articles exploring the issues and facts surrounding coaches, athletes and sexual misconduct, problem, go to these links:

Washington: A Four Part Series: "Coaches who Prey" by Maureen O'Hagan and Christine Willmsen.

O'Hagan's piece for the Education Writers Association, "Exposing Abuse in Washington State Schools: A Case Study in Investigative Journalism" outlines some of the institutional roadblocks they encountered during their investigation.

Texas: "Out of Bounds: Sexual misconduct by educators in Texas". The Houston Chronicle investigation in 2001 reveals relationship of coaches and students rife with abuse.

Information on the National Council of Youth Sports' Child Safety Initiative

At the Ms. Foundation site you can find BEYOND SURVIVING: Toward a Movement to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Written by Gillian Murphy, it is the product of a March 2002 roundtable on sexual abuse.

At the Women's Sports Foundation site you can find the following information: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Relationships Between Coaches and Athletes: The Foundation Position

Article: Beating abuse - Educating children about abuse

Article: Beating Abuse: Kathy Collins, four-time world champion boxer and the first woman to win a professional bout in Madison Square Garden, speaking out about the abuse she endured as a child.

Looking for Leaders in the field?
Hofstra University Professor Charol Shakeshaft's recent report for the US Department of Education "Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature," is an invaluable information resource.

Robert Shoop, a Kansas State University professor of Educational Administration and Education Law expert, is nationally recognized for his knowledge on policies and practices regarding the operation of schools. Shoop is author or co-author of 14 books including "Sexual Exploitation of Students: How to Spot It, and Stop It," "A Principal's Quick Guide to School Law: Reducing Liability, Law Suites, and Other Potential Legal Tangles," and "Sexual Harassment on Campus: A Guide for Administrators, Faculty and Students." He can be reached at 785-532-5533 or by e-mail at rshoop@k-state.edu.

For information on advocacy in other sports:
Silent Edge provides information and links of interest for those concerned about sexual abuse and exploitation in figure skating (and in all sports), and other advocacy issues for skaters.

For policy starting points, consider the following:
John Borkowski, a New Orleans attorney who specializes in education law, cited four ways that school boards should address sexual harassment:
1. Have appropriate policies on sexual harassment, which can include either verbal or physical abuse.
2. Provide training on those policies for students, staff members, and the community.
3. Institute a clear system for investigating complaints.
4. When warranted by an investigation, take remedial measures.

Borkowski also came up with a checklist for school districts that could easily be applied to any sports organization, YMCA, CYO, coach's camp, AAU program etc.

LESSONS LEARNED: A checklist for school districts

1. Does your district have clear policies regarding sexual harassment, both verbal and physical? Do they address harassment of students by other students, harassment of students by staff, and harassment of employees by other employees or higher-level officials?

2. Is the guiding principal of these policies creating a safe, respectful environment for learning?

3. Do the policies:
* define harassment?
* require staff to report possible harassment and intervene to stop it?
* identify people who can receive harassment reports?
* list possible consequences for harassers?

4. Have you appointed someone to coordinate prevention efforts and receive harassment reports?

5. Do your personnel policies and student code of conduct also prohibit harassment and provide for effective discipline?

6. Have you made parents, students, and staff members aware of your policies?

7. Have staff members assigned to respond to harassment reports been taught how to conduct thorough investigations?

8. Is the district prepared to fully document the scope and findings of any investigations?

9. Is the district ready to deal with any privacy concerns?

10. Do district staff know which incidents must be referred to law enforcement in your state?

Source: John Borkowski, Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

As part of their "Coaches Who Prey" series, Seattle Times staff reporters Maureen O'Hagan and Christine Willmsen presented a check list for parents.

How parents can spot trouble before it's too late:
A sexual comment by the coach or a pat on the buttocks may seem accidental or innocuous, but experts say such behavior may be a first step in grooming a victim for abuse. Here are other warning signs for parents:

Full-body hugs by the coach. A high-five should suffice. Talk to your daughter about appropriate boundaries with a coach.

Rides home alone from practices or games and one-on-one training. A typical teenage athlete doesn't spend time alone with the coach. Parents should try to attend practice and provide transportation.

Cards, gifts and even sports-related awards. If they're targeted at one athlete and not the team, they could be a sign of an intimate relationship.

Sleepovers at the coach's house, even if the team is invited. Coaches also ask athletes to baby-sit their children, using the occasion to develop closeness or as a cover for ongoing intimacy.

Long or repeated phone calls to and from the coach or a seeming dependency on the coach or his advice. A coach isn't the athlete's peer, and parents should be wary of one who acts that way.

Out-of-town trips to tournaments or camps. If a coach makes it difficult for parents to come along, parents should be concerned. Make sure there are enough parents along to supervise.

A daughter suddenly quitting or losing interest in her favorite sport or not wanting to be near a coach. Often victims of sex abuse or harassment will make up reasons why they no longer want to play.

Coaches who jump from team to team or district to district. Parents should ask a coach for references and interview current and former players, parents and school officials about his conduct. Parents can obtain a coach's disciplinary records from a school district by filing a public-disclosure-act request. They can also ask the state education office for similar misconduct information on teachers who coach.