Ivan Desyatov suspended by SafeSport

[4everchan]

Unfortunately, I cannot read the article as one needs to register and since it's an independent media, I prefer not to do so. I can tell you one thing : the Canadian/Québec media, if MFD has anything to be blamed for, will not hide it, quite the opposite. If anything comes up on CBC (French or English) in the next little while, I will share it here.

 

[saine]

For Canada, UCCMS covers failure to report under 5.11.1. She is a Canadian coach, so that could apply in this case.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

For Canada, UCCMS covers failure to report under 5.11.1. She is a Canadian coach, so that could apply in this case.

What sanctions (if any) could she be facing?

 

[saine]

What sanctions (if any) could she be facing?

I'm not sure, it could also fall under SafeSport due to it involving an American athlete. Failure to report is covered there as well. The code is here. Failure to report is Section IX.G.1, reporting requirements for this would be Section X.C.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Unfortunately, I cannot read the article as one needs to register and since it's an independent media, I prefer not to do so. I can tell you one thing : the Canadian/Québec media, if MFD has anything to be blamed for, will not hide it, quite the opposite. If anything comes up on CBC (French or English) in the next little while, I will share it here.

I found translated screenshots on the Internet, so I can summarize here, but content warning: the article is quite graphic with its description of the sexual assault. I won't be nearly as graphic here, but it's still a lot.

Solène states that she was at dinner at Golden Spin with a lot of other skaters, and went back home accompanied by Holly Harris and Ivan Desyatov. She took a very strong sleeping pill due to her difficulties with sleeping after her brain injury, after which Holly and Ivan left her room. She later woke up to Ivan sexually assaulting her - apparently, he admitted to it to her in private messages. She confided this event to her mother and to Marie-France Dubreuil, her coach, who said that she would report it to SafeSport and the Team USA leaders, since Ivan is a USA skater. The newspaper reached out to Marie-France over whether she made this report, but did not receive a direct answer. The newspaper reports that the only report made to SafeSport was sent by Solène herself on the 26th September of this year, which was made ten days after Solène posted on her Instagram that she was a victim of sexual assault. Solène filed a police report in April 2024 in France for rape committed on a vulnerable person, as Ivan allegedly knew that she was taking a very strong medication for sleeping. She finishes up the article by stating the extreme emotional toll this has taken on her - not only did she not receive support from her coaches and federations, both French and Estonian, but she had to put her career on hold because she was struggling so much while Ivan was able to continue to compete. She still suffers from nightmares, and states that when she goes out in the street, she feels as though someone is following her.

USFS states "All individuals, regardless of membership with U.S. Figure Skating, are encouraged to report suspected SafeSport violations to U.S. Figure Skating. Participants are required to report suspected child abuse and/or sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (or to U.S. Figure Skating) and local law enforcement. There are no fees for filing a SafeSport report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport or U.S. Figure Skating." All coaches participating in USFS events must be SafeSport compliant, "Coaches with athletes at ALL sanctioned events: Tests (including virtual), non-qualifying competitions, qualifying competitions, travel with Team USA, etc., must meet the requirements listed in the table..." which includes SafeSport training. Since IAM coaches participate in USFS events like Nationals and travel with Team USA to events, the coaches there should all be SafeSport certified and thus are mandatory reporters. You can read more about USFS Safesport here and Coach Requirements here.

 

[4everchan]

I found translated screenshots on the Internet, so I can summarize here, but content warning: the article is quite graphic with its description of the sexual assault. I won't be nearly as graphic here, but it's still a lot.

Solène states that she was at dinner at Golden Spin with a lot of other skaters, and went back home accompanied by Holly Harris and Ivan Desyatov. She took a very strong sleeping pill due to her difficulties with sleeping after her brain injury, after which Holly and Ivan left her room. She later woke up to Ivan sexually assaulting her - apparently, he admitted to it to her in private messages. She confided this event to her mother and to Marie-France, who said that she would report it to SafeSport and the Team USA leaders, since Ivan is a USA skater. The newspaper reached out to Marie-France over whether she made this report, but did not receive a direct answer. The newspaper reports that the only report made to SafeSport was sent by Solène herself on the 26th September of this year, which was made ten days after Solène posted on her Instagram that she was a victim of sexual assault. Solène filed a complaint in April 2024 in France for rape committed on a vulnerable person, as Ivan allegedly knew that she was taking a very strong medication for sleeping. She finishes up the article by stating the extreme emotional toll this has taken on her - not only did she not receive support from her coaches and federations, both French and Estonian, but she had to put her career on hold because she was struggling so much while Ivan was able to continue to compete. She still suffers from nightmares, and states that when she goes out in the street, she feels as though someone is following her.

USFS says "All individuals, regardless of membership with U.S. Figure Skating, are encouraged to report suspected SafeSport violations to U.S. Figure Skating. Participants are required to report suspected child abuse and/or sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (or to U.S. Figure Skating) and local law enforcement. There are no fees for filing a SafeSport report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport or U.S. Figure Skating." All coaches participating in USFS events must be SafeSport compliant, "Coaches with athletes at ALL sanctioned events: Tests (including virtual), non-qualifying competitions, qualifying competitions, travel with Team USA, etc., must meet the requirements listed in the table..." which includes Safe sport training. Since IAM coaches participate in USFS events like Nationals and travel with Team USA to events, the coaches there should all be SafeSport certified. You can read more about USFS Safesport here and Coach Requirements here.

Thanks for taking the time to share this. I find it very strange that MFD wouldn't report it, not only because she has to do so and should support her athletes, but also because this omission could ruin her own business and credibility.

 

[el henry]

Thank you for sharing the article.

I am more struck by what is missing than by what is there, Did they contact USFS? Did they contact SafeSport? (now it is possible they would say privacy concerns, they cannot say, but at least contact them). Did Solène tell them that Marie-France never contacted Safe Sport? How does she know?

At one point, I remember reading (not from a gossip site, but an actual news source, but I can't remember where) only Patch traveled with US skaters to US Nats, because he was the only US Safe Sport certified coach. That may have changed.

More questions than answers?

 

[throw_triple_flip]

Thanks for taking the time to share this. I find it very strange that MFD wouldn't report it, not only because she has to do so and should support her athletes, but also because this omission could ruin her own business and credibility.

If it is true, she wouldn't be the first (or last) person to damage themselves professionally due to a lack of judgment. We aren't privy to her inner thoughts and motivations.


I guess it's possible that there may have been some sort of miscommunication/error somewhere.

 

[Kris135]

If this is the case does this mean Dubreuil could get into some sort of legal trouble?
Is she a mandatory reporter?

If she is she could major trouble with both Canadian and American officials. The main reason is that she knew where he was living and with who, mainly Bella family who has younger sister is still a minor, so that means she could be in trouble by not telling anyone. The code of silence needs to be broken because it putting other ad risk. Even if she did not want her name associated with this mess she could have made her report anonymously to the correct officials.

 

[Ziotic]

If she is she could major trouble with both Canadian and American officials. The main reason is that she knew where he was living and with who, mainly Bella family who has younger sister is still a minor, so that means she could be in trouble by not telling anyone. The code of silence needs to be broken because it putting other ad risk. Even if she did not want her name associated with this mess she could have made her report anonymously to the correct officials.

What you’ve stated is completely irrelevant to the situation. How would MFD have any clue where he was living.

Also, perhaps she reported to another authority that wasn’t specifically safe sport. Since this case is kind of a jurisdictional mess. Croatia/USA/Estonia.

 

[Seven Sisters]

If she is she could major trouble with both Canadian and American officials. The main reason is that she knew where he was living and with who, mainly Bella family who has younger sister is still a minor, so that means she could be in trouble by not telling anyone. The code of silence needs to be broken because it putting other ad risk. Even if she did not want her name associated with this mess she could have made her report anonymously to the correct officials.

Dubreuil coached Mazingue and her partner, not Flores/Desyatov. We shouldn’t assume that she would have known about Flores/Desyatov’s living arrangements.
The issue is that Mazingue says she reported the assault to Dubreuil and that Dubreuil did not take the appropriate actions to protect her.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

If she is she could major trouble with both Canadian and American officials. The main reason is that she knew where he was living and with who, mainly Bella family who has younger sister is still a minor, so that means she could be in trouble by not telling anyone. The code of silence needs to be broken because it putting other ad risk. Even if she did not want her name associated with this mess she could have made her report anonymously to the correct officials.

I'd forgotten about her sister. I'm assuming neither Isabella nor her parents knew about the allegations. Surely they wouldn't knowingly risk her safety like that.

I'm not sure Dubreuil would have known about the living situation. She has no reason to know. She didn't coach them.

 

[Kris135]

Dubreuil coached Mazingue and her partner, not Flores/Desyatov. We shouldn’t assume that she would have known about Flores/Desyatov’s living arrangements.
The issue is that Mazingue says she reported the assault to Dubreuil and that Dubreuil did not take the appropriate actions to protect her.

Let's be honest it was an open secret here. Even if that was not the case she still has responsibility to report it to US officials because the skater involved was skating for the US when the assault happened.

 

[readernick]

The issue present in this article is very serious unlike the previous speculation on this site If it is proven to be true that she did not report to safe sport, that is dangerous, unprofessional, shows a true disregard for the health of the her athletes and IAM could/ should face criminal charges. Of course, as @el henry pointed out, this article is a bit vague and does not provide proof that no report was made, but if proven true, I hope this inaction does not go unpunished.

 

[spincircles]

I found translated screenshots on the Internet, so I can summarize here, but content warning: the article is quite graphic with its description of the sexual assault. I won't be nearly as graphic here, but it's still a lot.

Solène states that she was at dinner at Golden Spin with a lot of other skaters, and went back home accompanied by Holly Harris and Ivan Desyatov. She took a very strong sleeping pill due to her difficulties with sleeping after her brain injury, after which Holly and Ivan left her room. She later woke up to Ivan sexually assaulting her - apparently, he admitted to it to her in private messages. She confided this event to her mother and to Marie-France Dubreuil, her coach, who said that she would report it to SafeSport and the Team USA leaders, since Ivan is a USA skater. The newspaper reached out to Marie-France over whether she made this report, but did not receive a direct answer. The newspaper reports that the only report made to SafeSport was sent by Solène herself on the 26th September of this year, which was made ten days after Solène posted on her Instagram that she was a victim of sexual assault. Solène filed a police report in April 2024 in France for rape committed on a vulnerable person, as Ivan allegedly knew that she was taking a very strong medication for sleeping. She finishes up the article by stating the extreme emotional toll this has taken on her - not only did she not receive support from her coaches and federations, both French and Estonian, but she had to put her career on hold because she was struggling so much while Ivan was able to continue to compete. She still suffers from nightmares, and states that when she goes out in the street, she feels as though someone is following her.

USFS states "All individuals, regardless of membership with U.S. Figure Skating, are encouraged to report suspected SafeSport violations to U.S. Figure Skating. Participants are required to report suspected child abuse and/or sexual misconduct to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (or to U.S. Figure Skating) and local law enforcement. There are no fees for filing a SafeSport report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport or U.S. Figure Skating." All coaches participating in USFS events must be SafeSport compliant, "Coaches with athletes at ALL sanctioned events: Tests (including virtual), non-qualifying competitions, qualifying competitions, travel with Team USA, etc., must meet the requirements listed in the table..." which includes SafeSport training. Since IAM coaches participate in USFS events like Nationals and travel with Team USA to events, the coaches there should all be SafeSport certified and thus are mandatory reporters. You can read more about USFS Safesport here and Coach Requirements here.

Yup, that is a good summary. To add on, article said she filed police report in April 2024, publicly spoke on social media 5 months later on 16 sep, filed complaint with safesport on 26 sep.

Article has quotes from Solene's boyfriend and "Felix Ladusque, co-founder of influence agency that manages Solene's image" praising her bravery.

 

[IceDancingQueen]

What you’ve stated is completely irrelevant to the situation. How would MFD have any clue where he was living.

Also, perhaps she reported to another authority that wasn’t specifically safe sport. Since this case is kind of a jurisdictional mess. Croatia/USA/Estonia.

I read online that it was reported to the Estonian Federation by a “third party” so it is possible MFD reported it there, but I could be wrong.

 

[Ziotic]

I read online that it was reported to the Estonian Federation by a “third party” so it is possible MFD reported it there, but I could be wrong.

Even then, if it were me. I don’t know that my first thought would be safe sport, it would likely be to someone at USFS or maybe ISU since each country is likely to have their own version of safe sport?

ETA: obviously not reporting something of this nature is very serious, I just question, how would anyone really know who the correct person to report this too is? So for me this illustrates how important it is that the ISU get something in place for this type of thing as the organizing committee.

They will know what processes are in play for each competing nation and where to direct people who report.

 

[Idiote]

Unfortunately, I cannot read the article as one needs to register and since it's an independent media, I prefer not to do so. I can tell you one thing : the Canadian/Québec media, if MFD has anything to be blamed for, will not hide it, quite the opposite. If anything comes up on CBC (French or English) in the next little while, I will share it here.

The article has been very well summarised by figureskatingandrainbows, but I just wanted to add that Mediapart is quite well established in France as a serious media, that has been one of the most prominent in the country to investigate and report cases of sexual abuse in various spheres (#MeToo of course, or more recently they've been the first news source to uncover some very nasty stuff about French YouTubers, publishing a big piece with many victims' testimonies and thorough investigation). I don't often read their articles (or read articles at all per se) but from the little I know they are considered a very credible, if politically oriented, source, especially on such cases.

Solène's testimony is truly horrifying, all my thoughts go to her, I hope she can heal from this trauma and anyone who's been involved in her misery gets punished.

 

[dcr]

Yup, that is a good summary. To add on, article said she filed police report in April 2024, publicly spoke on social media 5 months later on 16 sep, filed complaint with safesport on 26 sep.

Article has quotes from Solene's boyfriend and "Felix Ladusque, co-founder of influence agency that manages Solene's image" praising her bravery.

After readying the report I’m wondering how he was able to reenter her room while Solene was sleeping. Scary situation!

 

[Magill]

The article has been very well summarised by figureskatingandrainbows, but I just wanted to add that Mediapart is quite well established in France as a serious media, that has been one of the most prominent in the country to investigate and report cases of sexual abuse in various spheres (#MeToo of course, or more recently they've been the first news source to uncover some very nasty stuff about French YouTubers, publishing a big piece with many victims' testimonies and thorough investigation). I don't often read their articles (or read articles at all per se) but from the little I know they are considered a very credible, if politically oriented, source, especially on such cases.

Solène's testimony is truly horrifying, all my thoughts go to her, I hope she can heal from this trauma and anyone who's been involved in her misery gets punished.

Thank you for this info. It is a very important piece of information to see it in a context!