Llnittd Starts Smart

WASHINGTON, DC 20510

August 5, 2016
Steve Penny
President and CEO
USA Gymnastics
132 E. Washington St., Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Dear Mr. Penny:

We are writing to express our deep concern followmg an investigative report
by the Indianapoh?s Star regarding USA Gymnastics? handling of sex abuse
allegations against coaches. Child sex abuse is a heinous crime and allegations
must be taken seriously and handled appropriately.

USA Gymnastics is integral to the sport and young athletes throughout the
country. Its members include more than 90,000 athletes and 3,000 gymnasiums,
and the United States has a proud history of producing champion gymnasts.

The recent Indianapolis Star report describes conduct that, if true, is deeply
troubling to anybody concerned about the welfare of children. This report was
issued after interviewing witnesses across the country and reviewing thousands of
pages of documents, including records from legal cases.

The report details failures by USA Gymnastics to alert authorities ofsex
abuse allegations against several coaches, despite being notified of serious
allegations on numerous occasions. Some allegations were allowed to linger for
years before any action was taken, leaving young victims in the supervision of
sexual predators.

We urge you immediately to take specific actions to ensure that allegations
of sexual abuse are reported to appropriate authorities and law
enforcement, so that children are protected. Research indicates that most people
who experience sexual abuse in childhood do not disclose their abuse until
adulthood (if at all), and when disclosure does occur in childhood, signi?cant
delays are common.

We also urge you to provide USA Gymnastics? current policies on how it
handles allegations of sexual abuse, and how those policies have changed over the
last two decades. Please also explain how coaches or others who supervise
children are vetted and evaluated over time to ensure athletes in their care are
protected.

The upcoming Olympic Games will inspire many young athletes to work to
achieve their dreams, and many will be inspired to become gymnasts. USA
Gymnastics has a responsibility to ensure that these young athletes are safe.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We look forward to
hearing your response.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,
I - 
Dianne Feinstein Patrick Leahy 
United States Senator United States Senator
Richard Blumenthal oe onne?l'ly' 

United States Senator States Senator