Prevention

By far the most important step a parent can take to protect her child from a sexual predator is to make sure the coach is never alone with a child. Demand that a two-adult rule be instituted. A two-adult rule not only protects the player but the coach: if he is never alone with a child then inappropriate behavior cannot be alleged. Private or closed practices are a red flag. If the coach wants to exclude you from practice, ask why.

It is every parent's nightmare that their child might be a victim of a sexual predator while participating in youth sports. This has become a very high profile issue in sports as well as in other segments of society. Unfortunately sexual abuse of young players has occurred in youth sports leagues of all kinds, as well as with individual coaches in individual youth sports.

It is not unusual for athletes tolerate years of abuse before coming forward. Harassment has a silencing effect and sexual abuse has a high shame factor. Children are often afraid to report it because of its degrading nature, or because they fear getting the perpetrator in to trouble, or do not want to risk their spot on the team. Families play an important role in socializing children. Families are a place where children learn survival skills and learn how to solve problems. In caring for and nurturing your children, there are a number of values you can instill, skills you can teach, and behaviors you can model as part of an abuse prevention program. It is important that you talk about harassment and abuse with your children

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk that your child or a teammate will be a victim of sexual harassment or abuse is to set boundaries at a pre-season meeting. Boundary setting provides clarity about the coach's role, establishes predictability in the coach-athlete relationship, and builds a safe and healthy learning environment.

Children involved in sport often make strong connections and develop a special trusting relationship with their coaches and instructors, many of whom exert great influence over them. If this power is abused, children can suffer severe psychological injuries that may last a lifetime. Here are some steps experts say parents can take to minimize the risk that their child, or a teammate, will be a victim of sexual abuse or harassment.