What's Here

What is Abuse?

For Skaters

For Parents

For Coaches &
Officials

Health & Career

News on Abuse
in Sport

Links

Main Page

Contact

Disclaimer

21

The following are comments from coaches answering the question:

What is your level of concern about the possibility of false complaints or allegations of abuse ever being brought against you by a skater or a parent? If you feel concerned about this possibility, are there any specific reasons for your concern?

"I'm not concerned because I treat my students with the utmost respect. I feel that because they look at me as a friend and not another authoritative figure, we are able to communicate with each other on a different kind of level."

"Somewhat concerned. There is always the possibility of a false complaint, which may even be made with an honest intention but without all the information. It is important to avoid even the appearance of abuse, especially when coaching students of the opposite gender."

"Somewhat concerned. Skating is a very physical sport. You are holding the child or adult to support them in earlier stages, constantly positioning arms, legs, back, etc. That is why discussions with parents on teaching methods is important. Also, kids love their coaches and rush up and hug you. It seems rude to just push them away."

"Fairly concerned. No specific reason - I am just not denying the fact that it may happen."

"Very concerned, because I was a victim of a false allegation which practically ruined my career and my family! The whole situation was handled poorly and improperly by the facilities."

"Fairly concerned. Unfortunately, there seem to be too many people in this sport with their own agendas. People who will back-stab and lie in order to get what they want. At least at the rink where I teach, the politics are very ugly. The best course of action is to keep your mouth shut as much as possible."

"Somewhat concerned. Coaches and parents aren't always ethical. Suing for money can push people to do things."

"Somewhat concerned. I think in this day and age, one as wonders what one would do if an unfounded allegation was made by someone."

"I'm not concerned with this possibility for myself, but I am concerned that it could happen to others because I have seen it happen. I am confident that I have the support of my parents and, to a reasonable extent, of my management and as long as I don't upset the 'natural order' of the social atmosphere of the rink, I'm not concerned for myself. However, for those who attempt to break the system, I am very concerned."

"Fairly concerned. I've seen what happens in the education system of wrongful accusations. A student's parent was once wrongfully accused and it caused a lot of tension."

"Somewhat concerned. I'm concerned that it would damage my reputation as a coach unnecessarily. But I can't see any foundation for accusations anyways - I coach in a very public environment (lots of other classes going on around me, an assistant coach with me)."

"Somewhat concerned. More situations are being opened to the public and awareness is being risen, which is good. I do feel that people may take it to an extreme. Having to ask a skater 'may I touch you' before you move their body into correct position is crazy if you ask me. That is what we are being told to do by our national association, PSA."

"Fairly concerned. It just seems that everyone these days is sue-happy."

"Very concerned. You can never say it will never happen to you."

"Very concerned. If there are any allegations, it can destroy a coach, whether or not they are true."

"Somewhat concerned. I start children at pre-school age and they often hug and kiss me on the cheek. How do you reject a child's affection without hurting their feelings? Yet, sometimes I feel concern. As they are with me for many years this behavior continues. I never worried about it and have never had any complaints but, with the ever rising awareness of abuse and harassment cases, it makes me wary."

"Somewhat concerned. People can be very vindictive and my concern arises out of the possibility that the coach would not be listened to or would be treated unfairly."

"Fairly concerned. I have heard of people saying things that you didn't do, and I don't want that to happen to me."

"Somewhat concerned. I think in this day and age it would be very foolish to not be somewhat concerned, and to not be very careful."

"Not concerned. I can't imagine this ever being a problem or concern in my case."

"Somewhat concerned. It seems that it [behavior] could be misunderstood unintentionally, and I wouldn't want that to happen."

"Fairly concerned. It happened to a coach that I know. She was innocent, but accused of sexually harassing a student."

"Somewhat concerned. There are malicious people out there. I don't really give it too much thought -- my conduct is professional."

"Very concerned, because skating has been built on rumors and when one starts that is not true... it is very hard to put a stop to it."

"Somewhat concerned. I do a lot of hands-on teaching. As a coach we often have to touch kids to move their arms, legs, etc. You never know who may misunderstand something."

"Somewhat concerned. We have had some parents that become upset over unrelated issues and have been known to attempt to create false allegations (not necessarily sexual)... however we have an excellent skating director who has been able to handle these situations quite well."

"Very concerned. In this sport, things are so competitive that there is always some concern over issues of parents feeling helpless to advance their children at the rate they would like. A lot of feelings get hurt along the way and I've actually witnessed cases of attempted revenge. What a sport!"