Judiciary Committee Advances Bill to Prevent Sexual Abuse in Olympic Sports Introduced by Senators Collins, Feinstein

Washington, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to require Olympic Sports organizations to immediately report child and sex-abuse allegations to local or federal law enforcement, or a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department.  The bill currently awaits a vote by the full Senate.

“Young athletes who train to represent country at top levels of competition, and all who aspire to compete, should not fear victimization by trusted coaches and sports officials,” said Senator Collins. “I have long worked to prevent sexual assault and ensure that survivors have access to the resources and support they need. I am pleased that our legislation to help survivors receive justice and prevent more people from becoming victims will now be considered by the full Senate.”

The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act stems from recent allegations of sexual abuse made against personnel involved with USA Gymnastics and USA Taekwondo.

In addition to requiring immediate reporting of child and sex-abuse allegations, the bill would make it safe and easy for victims to report abuse and mandate oversight of member gymnasiums to ensure strong sexual-abuse prevention policies are implemented. For example, USA Gymnastics would have to implement and enforce policies to ensure coaches and personnel are trained in sexual abuse prevention.

The bill is supported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), National Council of Youth Sports, National Center for Sexual Exploitation, Safe4Athletes, National Children’s Alliance, National Crime Victims Law Institute, Rights4Girls, University of Utah Law Professor Paul Cassell, Child Sex Crime Victims’ Lawyer James Marsh, Crime Victims Expert Steve Twist, National Crime Victims Center, National Association of VOCA Administrators, Child USA, National Organization for Victim Assistance, ToPrevail, ChampionWomen, Child Welfare League of America, National Survivor Advocates Coalition, National Network to End Domestic Violence, The Lauren’s Kids Foundation, National Children’s Advocacy Center, the National Association to Protect Children, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Futures without Violence, Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), Shared Hope International, National District Attorneys Association, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic Committee.