Whether it’s the scandals at Penn State, Syracuse University or AAU basketball, many people are disgusted by the recent child abuse stories that have been reported in the news.
Positive Coaching Alliance and Kidpower are disgusted about it also, and the national youth organizations are doing something about it.
PCA founder Jim Thompson moderated a webinar for youth coaches, youth sports organizers and parents Thursday, and another webinar will be held Thursday at 9 p.m.
“This obviously is not an easy topic, but coaches must face it,” Thompson said. “Coaches who are annoyed at having to be more educated about abuse because of what’s been in the news lately need to get over our annoyance. The reality is that we are all part of a community that has the opportunity to protect kids from abuse.”
Mike Town, a former judge, and Irene van der Zande, founder of Kidpower, answered questions, took feedback and provided information during the first webinar, and will be available again on Thursday.
“Everyone in a youth sports community – leaders, coaches and parents – needs to understand that it is critical to become educated about abuse, because the difference an educated adult can make for a child could be life-saving,” Thompson said.
What are the signs of child abuse, how children can protect themselves from abuse, and how a league can take a stance will all be covered in Thursday webinar.
“The Positive Coaching Alliance mission of providing all youth athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience entails addressing ways to ensure children’s safety,” Thompson said. “This concern is heightened by the allegations of child abuse against prominent coaches and youth sports leaders.
“So many parents involve their children in youth sports precisely because it is the best place to build character and learn life lessons, such as teamwork and overcoming adversity. We all, as leaders in the youth sports community, have the opportunity and obligation to make a difference – to do all we can to protect the kids in our programs by intentionally and deliberately creating organizational prevention measures, reporting policies and procedures for dealing with reports of abuse.”
Thompson was referring to the three recent scandals, all of which involved high-profile coaches. Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has been charged of molesting multiple boys; former Syracuse men’s assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been accused on having sex with two ball boys; and two former youth basketball players said AAU president Bobby Dodds molested them and provided minors with alcohol in the 1980s.
Thursday’s webinar drew 200 people from throughout the country. To register for the next webinar, go to
Also, Kidpower came up with a template for child abuse policies and procedures for organizations to use. The format can be found at http://www.positivecoach.org/our-tools/tools-for-coaches/.