Peer Reviewed Articles
CHILD USA’s Social Science team conducts evidence based research and data analysis to provide information to better protect children in the United States.
A Plea for Congressional Intervention Into the Athlete Protection Systems of the United States Tennis Association
In an era when sporting organizations are on clear notice that children and young adults are at risk of sex abuse and assault in sport, and that they need to institute effective programs to prevent athlete sex abuse and assault, no National Governing Body (NGB) should be permitted to ignore their duty to protect athletes from sexual abuse.
United States Tennis Association (“USTA”), the NGB for the sport of tennis, remains stuck in the past, which makes it dangerous to athletes, as it prioritizes profits over athletes. Since 2002, 52 abusive tennis coaches or officials have gained access to and sexually abused tennis athletes.
The longer this issue remains unaddressed, the more likely other young athletes will be irreparably harmed by preventable sexual abuse. We respectfully request Congress immediately investigate USTA and force the necessary changes, including the removal of USTA personnel, to protect athletes across the country.
Child Sexual Abuse of Elite Athletes: Prevalence, Perceptions, and Mental Health
Written by Carter E. Timon, Stephanie J. Dallam, Marci A. Hamilton, Emily Liu, Janella S. Kang, Andrew J. Ortiz & Richard J. Gelles ~ Accepted June 2022
ABSTRACT
Despite a series of high-profile media reports of sexual abuse in sport over the past few years, little research has been done to explore the scope of the problem in the United States. The current article reports on prevalence of child sexual assault in elite athletes in the United States. Using a retrospective web survey, adults answered questions on their experiences in sport. Of the 473 elite athletes surveyed, 3.8% (n = 18) reported being sexual assaulted as a minor in the sporting context. Of those reporting assault, most (61%) reported being abused by an adult authority figure (usually a coach) and 44% reported being assaulted by a peer. Abused athletes were significantly more likely to report having been diagnosed with a mental disorder (Fisher’s exact test; p < .001). The findings can be utilized to improve prevention and child protection measures and other safeguarding initiatives in sport.
Analysis of the Written Policies of the 32 U.S. Archdioceses on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Written by Stephanie Dallam, Marci Hamilton, Sabine Glocker, and Andrew J. Ortiz ~ Accepted in June 2021
ABSTRACT
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been under concerted public pressure to improve its child protection policies. However, development of these policies has largely been left to the discretion of local dioceses with little central oversight. To determine the scope of current abuse prevention policies, we analyzed all 32 U.S. archdioceses’ policies and practices for developing a safe environment and preventing child sexual abuse. Using a tool developed from a list of unique components selected from the policies of all 32 archdioceses, we compared policies and procedures across archdioceses. On a group level, we found policies to be inadequate. The average score for archdioceses in the general area of prevention was 40.7 (SD = 9.3) out of 102 possible points (40% of possible points) with few prevention policies conforming to basic best practices that would be expected of a youth-serving organization. The variation and inconsistencies across archdioceses reveal the need for the Catholic Church to establish more uniform standards for preventing sexual abuse. These standards should be grounded in evidence-based practices and expert guidance. We also discuss some key areas which warrant immediate attention in future policy-making.