WBCA Sexual Misconduct Resources

"The WBCA does not tolerate sexual misconduct as it relates to the student-athlete either on or off the basketball court. Sexual misconduct is detrimental to the welfare and development of the student-athlete as a whole. The WBCA promotes trust between the athlete, her coaches, her administrators and faculty, which will in turn provide a safe and productive environment for the student-athlete's experience."
--Beth Bass, WBCA CEO

For policy starting points, consider the following:
John Borkowski, a New Orleans attorney who specializes in education law, cited four ways that school boards should address sexual harassment:

1. Have appropriate policies on sexual harassment, which can include either verbal or physical abuse.
2. Provide training on those policies for students, staff members, and the community.
3. Institute a clear system for investigating complaints.
4. When warranted by an investigation, take remedial measures.

Borkowski also came up with a checklist for school districts that could easily be applied to any sports organization, YMCA, CYO, coach's camp, AAU program etc.

LESSONS LEARNED: A checklist for school districts

1. Does your district have clear policies regarding sexual harassment, both verbal and physical? Do they address harassment of students by other students, harassment of students by staff, and harassment of employees by other employees or higher-level officials?
2. Is the guiding principal of these policies creating a safe, respectful environment for learning?
3. Do the policies:
   * define harassment?
   * require staff to report possible harassment and intervene to stop it?
   * identify people who can receive harassment reports?
   * list possible consequences for harassers?
4. Have you appointed someone to coordinate prevention efforts and receive harassment reports?
5. Do your personnel policies and student code of conduct also prohibit harassment and provide for effective discipline?
6. Have you made parents, students, and staff members aware of your policies?
7. Have staff members assigned to respond to harassment reports been taught how to conduct thorough investigations?
8. Is the district prepared to fully document the scope and findings of any investigations?
9. Is the district ready to deal with any privacy concerns?
10. Do district staff know which incidents must be referred to law enforcement in your state?

Source: John Borkowski, Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

As part of their "Coaches Who Prey" series, Seattle Times staff reporters Maureen O'Hagan and Christine Willmsen presented a check list for parents.

How parents can spot trouble before it's too late:
A sexual comment by the coach or a pat on the buttocks may seem accidental or innocuous, but experts say such behavior may be a first step in grooming a victim for abuse. Here are other warning signs for parents:

1. Full-body hugs by the coach. A high-five should suffice. Talk to your daughter about appropriate boundaries with a coach.
2. Rides home alone from practices or games and one-on-one training. A typical teenage athlete doesn't spend time alone with the coach. Parents should try to attend practice and provide transportation.
3. Cards, gifts and even sports-related awards. If they're targeted at one athlete and not the team, they could be a sign of an intimate relationship.
4. Sleepovers at the coach's house, even if the team is invited. Coaches also ask athletes to baby-sit their children, using the occasion to develop closeness or as a cover for ongoing intimacy.
5. Long or repeated phone calls to and from the coach or a seeming dependency on the coach or his advice. A coach isn't the athlete's peer, and parents should be wary of one who acts that way.
6. Out-of-town trips to tournaments or camps. If a coach makes it difficult for parents to come along, parents should be concerned. Make sure there are enough parents along to supervise.
7. A daughter suddenly quitting or losing interest in her favorite sport or not wanting to be near a coach. Often victims of sex abuse or harassment will make up reasons why they no longer want to play.
8. Coaches who jump from team to team or district to district. Parents should ask a coach for references and interview current and former players, parents and school officials about his conduct. Parents can obtain a coach's disciplinary records from a school district by filing a public-disclosure-act request. They can also ask the state education office for similar misconduct information on teachers who coach.

More resources for parents, schools, coaches and athletes:

Websites:
National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) Child Safety Initiative

Addressing the Issue of Verbal, Physical and Psychological Abuse of Athletes: The Foundation Position (Women's Sports Foundation)

Sexual Exploitation of Clients by Professionals: When Professionals Exploit Their Clients/Patients/Students

Downloadable Documents:

Sexual Harassment and Hazing in Athletics (NCAA Gender Equity Conference; Women Rock 2006) (PowerPoint PDF/15 pages)

Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature (2004 Study Commissioned by the US Department of Education)
(PDF/156 pages)

Beyond Surviving: Toward a Movement to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (2002 Roundtable Report by Gillian Murphy, MPH and the Ms. Foundation for Women) (PDF/28 pages)

Deafening Silence (2005 article by Helen Wheelock published in Coaching Women's Basketball magazine) (PDF/2 pages)

Books
Sexual Exploitation in Schools: How to Spot It and Stop It
by Robert J Shoop
Corwin Press, Nov 20, 2003