Ice Rink Firestorm: South Carolina Facility Focus Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

“This is the tip of the iceberg, particularly when it comes to U.S. figure skating, we believe there is some system failures.” Punny!

If all of this hasn’t been a wakeup call for parents, nothing will ever get their attention. I coached little league and was a Scout Master for 30 or so years and NEVER spent a minute alone with a child. If I needed to do individual counseling, it was across the big room from the rest of the group or in the dugout while the rest of the team was on the field. On camping trips, I slept under a fly instead of a tent so I could keep an eye on the kids and there could never be an accusation against me. I ran the Scout camp here for a couple of years, same rules, THERE IS NEVER A REASON FOR AN ADULT TO BE ALONE WITH A CHILD WHO IS NOT THEIR OWN! Period, end of discussion. If a matter needs to be dealt with privately, it warrants the parent or another adult’s attention.

Parents, if an adult shows an unusual level of interest in your child there is probably a reason for you to worry – even if they have the talent to be the next Biles, Bates or Manning. Every trip should be chaperoned by adults with common sense in addition to the coaches or staff. Nassar shows us that coaches and ancillary staff are capable of predatory behavior, where was the nurse or chaperone?

Team sports, Scouts, clubs are all great for kids, but the parents need to act with, here’s those words again, “common sense”.