In 2016, the issue of sexual abuse in sports settings came into the spotlight when Larry Nassar, the former team doctor for the U.S. women's national gymnastics team, was charged and convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young female athletes under the guise of medical treatment--a horrific betrayal of trust that left deep and lasting scars.
While the case of Larry Nassar was a high-profile one, it's crucial to understand that such incidents are not isolated. The unfortunate truth is that sexual abuse in sports is a pervasive issue, more common than many people realize, and it's time to address it.
According to a report by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, approximately 10.9 percent of athletes have experienced "unwanted sexual contact or sexually-explicit behaviors" in the sports setting.
For an athlete, the bond with a coach, trainer, or physician is built on a foundation of trust and respect. When that trust is shattered through sexual abuse, the resulting trauma is profound and long-lasting, affecting not just the individual but also their families and communities.
The abuse is not just a violation of one's body, but a violation of a sacred bond within a world that demands intense focus, discipline, and vulnerability.
At the Injury Justice Law Firm, we understand the challenges associated with coming forward in these situations. Still, you should know that California law gives you the right to file a civil claim against your abuser, even in cases where the abuse may have happened years ago.
Key Takeaways
- Athlete sexual abuse typically happens when an adult responsible for supervising an athlete-such as a coach, athletic trainer, or team staff-engages in grooming, sexualized touching, or has sex with a minor.
- If a coach breaches trust by sexually abusing an athlete, they should face justice with the assistance of an athlete sexual abuse lawyer.
- If a school, athletic program, or team management does not provide adequate oversight or actively protects a coach from investigation, they should also be held responsible for athlete sexual abuse.
- In many cases of sexual abuse, statutes of limitations restrict the time available to take legal action. If you are a survivor, it's crucial to consult experienced sexual abuse attorneys promptly.
How Sexual Abuse Can Occur in Sports Settings
The unique power dynamics in athletics can create environments where abuse can happen and go unreported. Coaches and other authority figures often have significant control over an athlete's career, from playing time to scholarship opportunities.
This influence can be exploited by abusers to manipulate, groom, and silence their victims. Abuse in sports settings can take many forms, including:
- Inappropriate touching disguised as coaching, physical therapy, or medical examinations.
- Sexual comments, jokes, or propositions.
- Forced sexual contact or assault.
- Exploitation through photography or video recording.
- Grooming behaviors, such as giving special attention, gifts, or favors, to isolate an athlete from their peers and family.
These actions are often perpetrated in seemingly safe spaces, such as locker rooms, training facilities, medical offices, or during team travel.
The abuser may leverage their position of authority to convince the athlete that the behavior is normal or necessary for their athletic development, leading to confusion and self-doubt for the survivor.
What Are the Signs That Sexual Abuse Might Be Happening?
Signs of potential abuse in sports may include missing practices, illness, decreased interest, withdrawal, and performance below expectations. Additional indicators might also be present:
- Growing loneliness
- Fear of solitude
- Aggression and/or impulsiveness
- Substance abuse
- Depression and PTSD
- Personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychosis, among other mental health conditions.
Although it can be challenging, it's crucial to trust your instincts and take timely action if you suspect sexual abuse. Ignoring signs or delaying investigations can lead to further harm; therefore, it's essential to act promptly and decisively.
Too often, parents and communities overlook our school's athletic program, this league, or any team in this neighborhood or city.
This mindset allows sexual predators to go unchecked and complicates efforts to identify and halt their behavior. Ignoring signs of potential abuse or delaying investigations can easily lead to further harm.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When pursuing a civil claim for sexual abuse in an athletic context, liability may extend beyond the individual perpetrator. While the abuser is directly responsible for their actions, other parties may also be held accountable for failing to protect the athlete.
Potential liable parties include:
- The Individual Abuser: The coach, trainer, physician, or other staff member who committed the abuse can be held personally liable for the harm they caused.
- Sports Organizations and Governing Bodies: Institutions like schools, universities, amateur athletic clubs, or national governing bodies (e.g., USA Gymnastics) have a duty to create a safe environment for their athletes. They can be held liable if they were negligent in hiring, supervising, or retaining the abuser, or if they failed to act on complaints or red flags.
- Owners and Operators of Facilities: The owners of the gym, training center, or facility where the abuse occurred could also bear responsibility if they failed to implement adequate safety measures.
Holding these institutions accountable is not only about securing justice for the survivor but also about forcing systemic changes that can protect future generations of athletes from similar harm.
Damages You Can Claim
A civil lawsuit offers survivors a path to seek financial compensation for the immense harm they have suffered. While no amount of money can erase the trauma of abuse, it can provide critical resources for healing and rebuilding one's life. It also serves as a powerful form of accountability for the responsible parties.
In California, you may be able to claim damages for:
- Medical and Therapy Expenses: The cost of psychological counseling, therapy, and any medical treatment related to the abuse.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work and for any long-term impact on your career potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain and severe emotional distress caused by the abuse, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Statute of limitations
Recognizing the long-lasting impact of sexual abuse and that many victims are unable to come forward for a variety of reasons, California affords survivors extended time limits for filing a civil claim against those responsible for their abuse:
- If you were 18 or older at the time of abuse, you have 10 years from the last act of abuse, or three years from the date of discovery of harm.
- If you were under age 18 at the time of the abuse, you can file a claim anytime prior to your 40th birthday (or within 5 years of discovery) if the abuse occurred prior to 2024.
- For minors sexually abused on or after January 1, 2024, the statute of limitations is removed completely.
Why You Need a Sexual Abuse Lawyer
While these time windows are indeed generous, the truth is that evidence can be lost over time, and memories can fade.
If you are/were an athlete who was sexually abused by a coach, trainer, or sports physician, you have the best chance of success with a civil claim if you file as soon as you feel ready to do so.
At the Injury Justice Law Firm, our California sexual abuse attorneys will work diligently with you to utilize all available evidence to hold your abuser to account.
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