Abuse survivors sidelined as first deadline passes

Survivors of abuse in gymnastics are continuing to be sidelined as Gymnastics New Zealand misses its first deadline for addressing the ‘‘insidious culture’’ uncovered in the sport by an independent review.

Gymnastics NZ was due to establish a steering committee by the end of March.

The formation of the committee was one of the more than 50 recommendations from an independent review to address the culture in the sport.

The independent review was commissioned following a Stuff investigation launched in August, 2020, that uncovered psychological abuse, bullying, intimidation, fat shaming and athletes being forced to compete with serious injuries.

The review and was overseen by former World Anti-Doping Agency head David Howman, former Silver Fern Lesley Nicol and former elite gymnast Rachel Vickery. Its findings and recommendations were released in February.

In February, Gymnastics NZ also released a ‘‘statement of commitment’’, saying it will work with ‘‘survivor, athlete, and human rights representation alongside representation from our community and partners’’.

Gymnastics NZ chief executive Tony Compier said Covid-19 alert level changes affected progress, but the organisation was working on terms of reference for the steering committee ‘‘with an independent consultant, in collaboration with key sector partners and input from survivors, human rights and child advocacy’’.

Leading academic and survivor advocate Dr Georgia Cervin said survivors were still waiting for proper consultation following ‘‘incredibly limited discussions’’.

‘‘It’s fair progress has been hampered because of ... Covid-19 lockdowns. But each of those lockdowns lasted only a few days. People are hardly clearing their schedule to make this a priority,’’ she said.

‘‘This process is already under way and there hasn’t been any consultation with us on this. It shows a disconnect of what they [GNZ] are saying they are going to do and what’s being done.

‘‘This directly goes against what they said . . . about how it’s going to be done together.’’

Cervin, who is one of several advocates for a group of more than 100 current and former gymnasts, coaches and judges, said the group was trying to build a relationship with Gymnastics NZ, alongside the Athletes Federation and the Human Rights Commission, to ensure ‘‘real change’’ was made in gymnastics.

‘‘People are hardly clearing their schedule to make this a priority.’’

Dr Georgia Cervin survivor advocate