Gymcastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

Sport psychologist Dr. Megan Neyer and Katherine Starr from Safe4Athletes join us to talk about the arrest of Olympic coach Marvin Sharp on child pornography and charges of molesting one of his athletes.  We discuss: Gym Myth Busters: Do boys need protection from pedophiles just as much as girls do? Why  a "don't talk back" policy can sets kids up to be victims. Conditions that lead to abuse, both through grooming and organizational loopholes. What the alleged victim might be feeling and how best to support her as a community. Steps the gymnastics community can take in preventing abuse: Mandate moral, ethical and specific behavior guidelines Apply a policy that makes misbehavior, not just criminal activity grounds for dismissal Parent, coach and athlete education about those guidelines because policies without education create cynicism Enforcement by someone other than the owner of the gym External oversight through an athlete welfare advocate and if necessary an external advocate for intervention or acco