Coach suspended - abuse allegations

[Metis]

If both parties are of the age of consent, it can still be considered a crime. Victims of sexual assault often tell their abusers no, but they are ignored, or they initially agree to a sexual act, change their minds midway, and ask the abuser to stop, but the abuser still carries on, etc. That’s still rape.

This. I’d also note that flashing your genitals at someone is also a chargeable criminal offense, though not necessarily a felony.

Moreover, age of consent is only relevant in terms of charges pertaining to child sex abuse charges or statutory rape charges. Some states also note that certain relationships are inherently unequal and so all sexual activity that exists within them is rape by definition (for example, a prisoner and a prison guard).

And on a final technical note, pedophilia refers to a primary sexual interest in the pre-pubescent body; ephebophilia is a primary sexual interest in the post-pubescent teenage body, and the latter seems to be the relevant term.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Ugh!!!! This stuff is terrible and far too common in this community. The amount of emails I’ve received drawing attention to coaches and or shady characters hanging around who have been asked to stay away from my local rinks is unsettling. Always report anything to rink management who most likely is already aware or should be aware.

Fortunately if we want to work in any capacity at our local rinks a yearly background check is required.

 

[el henry]

If both parties are of the age of consent, it can still be considered a crime. Victims of sexual assault often tell their abusers no, but they are ignored, or they initially agree to a sexual act, change their minds midway, and ask the abuser to stop, but the abuser still carries on, etc. That’s still rape.

You are right; I should have clarified that I was referring to consensual sex. Some would argue that position of authority makes consent impossible, but that, in the (American) states with which I am familiar is not the law. It is an ethical and moral issue, but not a criminal legal one.

 

[Barb]

I'm still trying to unpack this, so let's see...

One of the skaters says he was a minor when sexual contact occurred. If he was under the age of consent in the state where it occurred, that is a crime. Nowadays, we have mandatory reporting laws (a very strict one in my state) and extended statute of limitations and other protections that could hopefully be invoked.

Above the age of consent, there is no crime, so technically, no one who was "let free" by "supervising authorities". What there *should* be (and is now, for almost every reputable organization) is professional consequences. No person in a position of authority toward another (teacher, coach, clergy person, medical professional) should, as a matter of ethics, engage in sexual contact with the person over whom they have authority. Never. They can, and should, lose their licensure, or employment, if they engaged in such activity. But they will in fact, if all parties are over the age of consent, run free, because they have committed no violation of criminal law.

Such a sad situation.

Exactly , this is so disgusting. It is soooo damn easy impress and/or intimidate to a younger/subaltern. And figure skating is especially dangerous because inevitably there is physical contact and even many people think that the coach must work like parent/psychologist too

 

[LiamForeman]

Unfortunately, I suspect we’re going to hear about far, far more victims. Sounds like a preferential offender let free by supervising authorities for decades. My heart hurts.

I think you are probably right, now that people feel more comfortable today to talk about it. I was not at all defending Richard. NOT AT ALL. I've always found him to be creepy. I'm not going to reveal personal details about my life, but let's just say that I am a card-carrying member of the "MeToo" Club. And it wasn't just inappropriate comments or constant butt touching or shoulder rubbing either. Since I was a kid, it seemed that if there was a pervert in the crowd, he'd find me. Maybe that's why I have pretty tough skin and have a sixth sense in recognizing a pervert.

I support Maurizi and have no reason to not believe anything he is alleging. And it doesn't surprise me that the old school USFSA would sweep it under the rug to preserve Richard's reputation.

We could have an interesting discussion of why skating is much different than say gymnastics wrt to sex abuse. The gymnasts were all being treated by the same doctor which is alarming. And the Karolyi Farm was a recipe for disaster because for decades the Karolyis led gymnastics and were in charge of picking out the team. It's clearly obvious why no aspiring Olympian would report any sex abuse at the Karolyi's. You piss off the Karolyis, you're toast for making the Olympic team. It is such a lopsided power dynamic. But what power did Richard have anyway? He wasn't the one picking out the Olympic team. So even if the man was 19/20 or 24, he could easily report Richard without fear of repercussions. The USFSA probably wouldn't even be surprised, since the skating community is relatively small and gossipy and people talk. Skating is much different because though someone may be your coach, he is YOUR employee, and firing him and moving on is not unusual and he has no position of power over you. You the skater are in control. But obviously any sex with a minor is illegal and should be reported and dealt with.

Just trying to clarify my thoughts.

 

[lappo]

I think you are probably right, now that people feel more comfortable today to talk about it. I was not at all defending Richard. NOT AT ALL. I've always found him to be creepy. I'm not going to reveal personal details about my life, but let's just say that I am a card-carrying member of the "MeToo" Club. And it wasn't just inappropriate comments or constant butt touching or shoulder rubbing either. Since I was a kid, it seemed that if there was a pervert in the crowd, he'd find me. Maybe that's why I have pretty tough skin and have a sixth sense in recognizing a pervert.

I support Maurizi and have no reason to not believe anything he is alleging. And it doesn't surprise me that the old school USFSA would sweep it under the rug to preserve Richard's reputation.

We could have an interesting discussion of why skating is much different than say gymnastics wrt to sex abuse. The gymnasts were all being treated by the same doctor which is alarming. And the Karolyi Farm was a recipe for disaster because for decades the Karolyis led gymnastics and were in charge of picking out the team. It's clearly obvious why no aspiring Olympian would report any sex abuse at the Karolyi's. You piss off the Karolyis, you're toast for making the Olympic team. It is such a lopsided power dynamic. But what power did Richard have anyway? He wasn't the one picking out the Olympic team. So even if the man was 19/20 or 24, he could easily report Richard without fear of repercussions. The USFSA probably wouldn't even be surprised, since the skating community is relatively small and gossipy and people talk. Skating is much different because though someone may be your coach, he is YOUR employee, and firing him and moving on is not unusual and he has no position of power over you. You the skater are in control. But obviously any sex with a minor is illegal and should be reported and dealt with.

Just trying to clarify my thoughts.

Believe it or not, there are people who have the reputation and the power to destroy all of your dreams, even if they are not the ones who actually pick the Olympic team; just a couple of word in the ears of people that matters and they can destroy your reputation. I could tell you my story but it would be too long and uninteresting; I just hope to be able to see a day when people who work hard to achieve their dreams are not put through the situation of either having to "pay their dues" to the people that matters in order to advance to the next step or to refuse and see everything you put so much effort in took away for revenge.

 

[eaglehelang]

Wow, Maurizi would had been devastated when his complaint was dismissed back then
After all these years, justice finally served

 

[Giselle]

I think you are thinking of Jenny Kirk? She spent some time with him (I don't know how much - she went to all the big coaches at that time). I remember her talking on TSL about how annoying he was about making her get her hair done in a fairly overwrought and annoying style before competitions? I can't remember anything else specific, but she made him sound like a total control freak IIRC. It's been awhile though.

Jenny Kirk also talked about training with Richard Callaghan on the Manleywoman Podcast.

On changing coaches to train with Frank Carroll: I don’t think Mr. Callaghan was ever the right coach for me. I don’t want to say anything negative about him because he’s a great coach, but he became very controlling, and the more that I started to gain a little success in my career, he became more controlling. He wanted to know where I was on a Friday night, wanted to know what I was doing when I wasn’t at the rink, and I felt really suffocated. I didn’t think that he really had that technical ability to fix my jumps, and I wanted to find a coach that was going to be able to fix that. And I needed a change of scenery. I’m the type of skater who’s always going to work really hard and be in control, but it was almost too much focus on skating, too many people pushing to get me to do something which I was already being really hard on myself about.

 

[LiamForeman]

Yep. I remember reading about a former student saying the same thing. He was an adult and was out on a date, and suddenly Richard appeared and told him he needed to go home because he has practice in the morning. Control freak is putting it mildly. And very creepy.

 

[mrrice]

This was on the front page of MSN this morning. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mo...onduct-allegations/ar-BBK49NB?ocid=spartanntp

This is becoming a big scandal.

 

[cruzceleste]

This was on the front page of MSN this morning. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mo...onduct-allegations/ar-BBK49NB?ocid=spartanntp

This is becoming a big scandal.

Right now the visual is bad, but if after USFS dismissed the case surge more complaints, then we will have a HUGE problem in our hands

 

[ks777]

Shizuka Arakawa trained with him briefly. Wasn't Todd Eldridge also involved? I heard something like that years ago.

 

[mrrice]

Shizuka Arakawa trained with him briefly. Wasn't Todd Eldridge also involved? I heard something like that years ago.

I don't know if "involved" is the right word choice. He was Todd's coach. He also coached Tara and I want to say he taught Nicole Bobek too. Does anyone know if that's true? I guess I'll have to hit google...Brb. Yes, Nicole too.

 

[ExMaleSkater]

I don't know if "involved" is the right word choice. He was Todd's coach. He also coached Tara and I want to say he taught Nicole Bobek too. Does anyone know if that's true? I guess I'll have to hit google...Brb. Yes, Nicole too.

Yes on Nicole and Tara. Todd was with him from a young age, following him across the country and back, at times without his parents around.
Not implying anything, but at best Todd knows things, hopefully he's not a victim. Todd needs to stop protecting Mr. Callaghan.

 

[cruzceleste]

Yes on Nicole and Tara. Todd was with him from a young age, following him across the country and back, at times without his parents around.
Not implying anything, but at best Todd knows things, hopefully he's not a victim. Todd needs to stop protecting Mr. Callaghan.

How do you know Todd is protecting him? The guy could have perfectly done the things behind Todd´s.

The only declaration I have found from Todd is saying that the guy has being good to him, and no comments on the accusation.

 

[mrrice]

Yes on Nicole and Tara. Todd was with him from a young age, following him across the country and back, at times without his parents around.
Not implying anything, but at best Todd knows things, hopefully he's not a victim. Todd needs to stop protecting Mr. Callaghan.

Todd can only comment on what he knows. It would be far worse if he were to make up stories. If he doesn't know anything about that side of Richard, then he doesn't.

 

[likevelvet]

Two decades is an unacceptably useless response time for things like this. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that things like this come to light so much. At least he's out, albiet much too late for what sounds like quite a few kids.

 

[Metis]

Two decades is an unacceptably useless response time for things like this. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that things like this come to light so much. At least he's out, albiet much too late for what sounds like quite a few kids.

That is exactly what I meant when I said he was let go by supervising authorities — USFSA could have blacklisted a long time ago when they knew there was a problem, but they didn’t.

 

[brightphoton]

That is exactly what I meant when I said he was let go by supervising authorities — USFSA could have blacklisted a long time ago when they knew there was a problem, but they didn’t.

I can't remember the details now, but the USFSA knew about this a decade ago. Another underage male student came forward, but his case was dismissed because he waited 3 months to accuse Callahagan instead of 1 month or whatever the arbitrary limit was. They really wanted to sweep child rape under the table

 

[SarahSynchro]

How do you know Todd is protecting him? The guy could have perfectly done the things behind Todd´s.

The only declaration I have found from Todd is saying that the guy has being good to him, and no comments on the accusation.

Exactly. Todd is a smart man, he knows it’s best that he only comments on his own experiences with Richard. Just because he was Richard’s longtime student doesn’t automatically mean he knew anything inappropriate was going on amongst his teammates, and it also doesn’t mean he condones the alleged sexual abuse. I’m sure this has to be very confusing and upsetting time for him as well.