Written by U.S. Center for Safe Sport and U.S. Figure Skating have just made a bold statement: You can intimidate a 13 year old girl that was sexually abused by a coach, and cover the sexual abuse up, and only be suspended for two years from a sport. That was the strictest punishment for any of the coaches. The other coaches were just given probation.
U.S. Center for Safe Sport and U.S. Figure Skating did not write that statement or say it to the press, but their suspension says that this girl’s life is only worth a two-year suspension (Which can be appealed) from the sport of figure skating. This girl already had to endure the sexual abuse but then she had to relive it daily by U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer and former Olympian John Zimmerman intimidating her to not say anything, that nobody would believe her, and that she would be shamed by other skaters and on social media. Zimmerman also told her on numerous occasions that she was to blame for the sexual abuse.
For the past four years, this girl, who is still a minor, has lived with the inaction of every single person who was supposed to help her. Multiple coaches forced her silence and was made to feel that someone else’s Olympic dreams and sponsorships are more important than a barely teenage girl’s mental, physical, and emotional health and safety. These coaches also took away a young girl’s dream and enjoyment of skating. These coaches took away the trust that she had towards anyone. These coaches made this young girl feel responsible for the sexual abuse that an adult committed against her. This girl will remember all of this and be impacted mentally, physically, and emotionally for the rest of her life.
Yes, there should be stiffer punishments for:
Morgan Cipres – Sexual abuser
John Zimmerman – Coach who intimidated the 13 year old girl
Silvia Fontana – Another coach, and Zimmerman’s wife, who also intimidated the 13 year old girl to be silent
Vinny Dispenza – Initiated the entire incident and threatened the 13 year old girl and her parents
But who is going to hold U.S. Center for Safe Sport and U.S. Figure Skating accountable for their actions? What is the incentive for U.S. Center for Safe Sport and U.S. Figure Skating to do the right thing? The health and welfare of a 13 year old girl is not high on their list. But their decision shows that Olympians, former Olympians, and members of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall’s careers are more important than the sexual abuse of a 13 year old girl.
Imagine if you were this 13 year old girl. Would some coaches getting probation and one coach getting a two year suspension (Which can be appealed) be adequate punishment for what was done to you and for how it will change the rest of your life?