Sexual Abuse Center

Ahead of the Game: The Parent's Guide To Youth Sports Concussion

Rosemarie Scolaro Moser's [6] new book, Ahead of the Game: The Parent's Guide to Youth Sports Concussion (University Press of New England) is just what it says it is: a practical, no-nonsense guide for parents about sport concussions.

Moser brings to the subject matter a unique background: As a clinician who has treated hundreds if not thousands of concussed student-athletes at the Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey [7], she brings real world experience to the subject, not just as a neuropsychologist with specialized expertise on baseline and post-concussion neurocognitive testing [8] but in the management and treatment of concussions, including the academic accommodations [9] that are often needed during the sometimes long road to recovery.

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While reliable statistics are not available, what data there is indicates that sexual harassment and abuse by authority figures in sports is widespread, especially among elite athletes. A Canadian study of elite and recently retired Olympic athletes reported that more than one in five had had sexual intercourse with persons in positions of authority (coaches, administrators etc.) in sport. Of this total 8.6 percent reported being raped. Almost one in ten of those who reported abuse were under 16 years old at the time of the sexual assault.

While reducing the risk of sexual abuse in sports - because it is so often never reported or discussed - is a difficult task made more challenging by the refusal of so many in the youth sports community to even acknowledge its existence, sexual abuse of youth athletes - boys as well as girls - can be prevented through a combination of education (knowing the warning signs of sexual abuse) and action (background checks, two-adult rule etc.).

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SmartTeams™ Talk: Keeping Our Youth Athletes Safe From Psychological & Sexual Abuse [17]

In a wide-ranging and informative presentation to parents in Grand Prairie, Texas as part of MomsTEAM's SmartTeams program, Sophia Grant, M.D., F.A.A.P, of Cook Children's Medical Center in Ft. Worth, Texas explains the benefits and drawbacks of youth sports, and talks about how coaches and parents can help keep youth athletes safe from psychological injury and sexual abuse.

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SmartTeams™ Talk: Safe4Athlete's Katherine Starr Says Four Steps To Preventing Sexual Abuse Of Athletes [18]

In a powerful and frank SmartTeams Talk, a two-time Olympic swimmer and sexual abuse victim talks about the steps required to prevent abuse of athletes by coaches.

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Myths About Abuse In Sports [19]

In a 2010 speech, a world-reknowned expert lists fourteen of the most common myths about sexual abuse in sports, and issues a call to action.

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Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect in Sports [20]

There are many warning signs of possible abuse or neglect of a child.

Read more » [20]
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What To Do If Your Child Says They Have Been Sexually Abused In Sports? [21]

If your child says she has been sexually abused in sports, the most important thing to do is stay calm and show that you are listening. It is extremely important that your child knows that harassment or abuse is not her fault, nor a reflection her.

Read more » [21]