Will Set Up Sex Abuse Hotline for Swimmers
Less than two days after an ABC News "20/20" investigation found USA Swimming coaches had molested, fondled and abused dozens of young swimmers, USA Swimming apologized in a letter sent to its 12,000 coaches across the country.USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus said he is "extremely sorry if our organization has not done enough to provide the highest level of child protection safeguards and guidelines."
Click here to read the full letter to swim coaches.
The organization, which is the governing body for competitive swimming in the U.S. from local swim clubs up to the Olympic team, said it is working to establish an anonymous reporting hotline "so that victims who may be frightened can report any sexual abuse and have this information relayed to police."
Also being considered is the implementation of a 'Black List,' in which USA Swimming would publish the "names of individuals who have been banned for life from USA Swimming for sexual misconduct, in order to provide a resource for other youth-focused organizations."
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The letter to coaches titled "Child Protection Safeguards" urged local affiliate swim clubs to raise awareness about the issue by "openly talking about the topic of sexual misconduct" and to stress the importance of reporting allegations to both swimming headquarters and police.
Also mentioned is conducting thorough "personal and professional background and previous experiences of coaches before they are hired."
"Do not simply rely on USA Swimming's criminal background screening; checking driving records and other police records are also important," the letter reads. "Clubs should not only check references from prior employers, but should seek input from other parents whose children previously swam for the coach."