[REPORT] Holding Youth Sports Organizations Accountable for Abuse

Parents enroll their children in sports with the expectation that they will be in a safe, supportive, and supervised environment. That trust is the bedrock of all youth athletics. When a coach exploits their position to abuse an athlete, it is a devastating betrayal. When the very organizations designed to protect those athletes fail to act, the betrayal is compounded, and those institutions must be held legally accountable.

Recent, disturbing reports regarding coaches in youth gymnastics and the alleged failures of safety organizations to properly investigate claims highlight a recurring and tragic problem. According to a story from the Associated Press, there are serious questions about whether the systems in place are truly protecting young athletes from predatory adults.

For the victims and their families, the harm is immeasurable. While the abuser will face criminal charges, the civil justice system provides a separate and crucial path to hold the powerful institutions that enabled the abuse accountable.

The Legal Doctrine of Institutional Liability

A civil lawsuit provides a way for victims to seek compensation and force systemic change. A lawsuit in these cases is not just against the individual abuser; it is often against the organization itself. The legal claims are typically based on:

Negligent Hiring and Retention: Did the sports club or governing body conduct a thorough background check on the coach? Were there prior complaints or “red flags” about this individual that were ignored? An organization that hires or continues to employ a person they know, or should have known, posed a risk to children is negligent.
Negligiven Supervision: Did the organization have proper safety protocols in place? Were there rules against private, one-on-one sessions between coaches and athletes? Was there a clear and safe way for athletes to report abuse without fear of retaliation? A lack of proper supervision and policies is a form of negligence.
Failure to Protect: When an organization receives a credible report of abuse, it has an immediate and absolute duty to investigate, report the allegation to law enforcement, and take steps to protect all other children in their program. Any failure or delay in this process is a severe breach of their legal duty.

Holding these powerful institutions accountable is a core part of our mission at Manoukian Law. You can learn more about our firm’s commitment to justice.