A culture change in gymnastics
When Frank DeFrancesco was studying to be a teacher four decades ago, he learned a basic rule: never be alone with a student.
He followed that principle when he became the owner of Arena Gymnastics about 25 years ago.
The Stamford facility has strict policies prohibiting adults from being alone with children, going as far as requiring parents to be present while their child has a one- on- one session.
“It’s been our policy forever to go with your athlete into the training room,” DeFrancesco said. “We even do that while they’re on the gym floor. Our kids were never left alone.”
Legislators are now hoping to develop laws based on these types of practices after USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was accused of sexual abusing more than 300 gymnasts.
“I still look at USA Gymnastics implementing things that were said to me 40 years ago,” DeFrancesco said. “They were behind the times. They were trying to win and closed their eyes to other things. It wasn’t deliberate, but they had their eyes on the prize and let other things go.”
Nassar was sentenced in January to 175 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault of a minor. The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security has since met with victims and officials including USA Gymnastics CEO and president Kerry Perry, and John Engler, interim president of Michigan State University, where Nassar previously worked, to identify changes at the leg- islative level that can better safeguard athletes.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D- Conn, a ranking member of the subcommittee, said he is “by no means satisfied” with how the organizations plan to improve their practices to prevent sexual abuse.
“These national governing boards have failed to fulfill their duty and responsibility to young athletes,” he said. “Their continued resistance to responsibility is deeply troubling and means even more effective legislation is necessary.”
Blumenthal said he and his colleagues from both political parties are seeking to use these hearings to inform new legislation. He said the laws would aim to enhance protections against retaliation, establish standards for detecting and preventing child abuse, including procedures to limit oneon- one interactions between athletes and adults, and develop training for adults to recognize the signs of abuse.
“The U. S. Olympics Committee, it is the voice and face of the United States in Olympic activities,” Blumenthal said. “They’re acting with the credibility of the United States behind them. We have a real responsibility here.”
Call for change
Some local gyms and organizations have already taken steps to change the culture in gymnastics and other sports.
The Center for Sexual Assault Prevention and Education in Stamford is developing a curriculum for coaches to recognize and address forms of sexual abuse. The center has already spoken to local sports teams, including parents and athletes of the New Canaan High School football and synchronized swimming teams.
“For the coaches, it’s going to be the way they are personally interacting with the athletes,” said Jessica Feighan, director of education, outreach and operations for the center. “It starts with attitudes, beliefs and behaviors and making coaches realize their own contributions to the movement.”
Feighan said the curriculum is preventative and identifies common rituals, such as butt patting, as forms of sexual assault.
“We want to make them aware of the behaviors,” Feighan said. “There might be a player who’s uncomfortable with that but doesn't want to say anything... We don’t want to teach people not to trust people. ... It comes down to reminding people the best way to treat one another.”
Lauren Candee thought of her own daughters when she first heard about the accusations against Nassar. The revelations prompted her to sit down with her 8- and 11- year- old gymnasts to discuss sexual abuse.
“I was never concerned about my daughters in the space they practice in,” the Redding woman said. “All I was concerned about was their future and having some awareness going forward. I never thought I’d have to talk to them about that.”
Candee felt compelled to do something. She formed Gymnast Warriors, a community- based organization established to protect gymnasts and change the culture of the sport.
“If we start educating these kids and we continue to educate them, they’re going to recognize the signs,” Candee said. “They’re going to recognize what’s appropriate, what’s inappropriate and have a voice.”
‘ Empowering youth’
Candee saw an opportunity to springboard Gymnast Warriors when her daughters‘ Danbury gym, Gymnastics Revolution, competed in a large meet at Western Connecticut State University soon after the USA Gymnastics scandal surfaced. Candee created banners and distributed pins with messages like “you are power, you can change the world” and “we are always listening.”
Last month, Gymnastics Revolution launched a partnership with the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury. Candee and Gymnast Warriors helped coordinate the series, which is comprised of five meetings, separated by
“If we start educating these kids and we continue to educate them, they’re going to recognize the signs.”
Lauren Candee, Gymnast Warriors founder
grade level, that addresses consent, boundaries and safe touching in an age- appropriate way. There was also a meeting for parents.
According to Ann Rodwell- Lawton, director of education, training and outreach at the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, the prevention educators adjust a curriculum the center offers to local school districts to make it relatable to gymnastics.
Through puppet shows and storytelling, young elementary school students learn the “clean, healthy, safe rule” how trusted adults can touch “private parts” during certain times like when bathing
Older elementary school students learn about boundaries, personal space and how to ask for consent when crossing these boundaries.
“Youth usually leave feeling empowered,” RodwellLawton said. “Prevention is important and we need to be having these important conversations. We believe in empowering youth to understand they have a voice. They are the boss of their bodies. But the great part is talking to parents. It’s not on youth to end sexual violence. It’s on the entire community.”