Judge in the Larry Nassar case calls on Canada to protect athletes at hearing
Canada has a chance to become a world leader in helping athletes who abuse coaches, a prominent US judge told a parliamentary committee.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced former US gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison in 2018 after he admitted to harassing top gymnasts under the guise of medical treatment.
She testified Monday before the Permanent Commission on Canadian Heritage that sports organizations cannot be trusted to regulate themselves and called for more involvement from athletes and the government.
She added that she believes the boards of sports organizations should be divided between athletes and others to allow for more transparent oversight.
The commission investigates toxic and abusive culture in elite sports.
Sport Canada is overseen by the Federal Department of Heritage.
WATCH l Judge Aquilina calls for an independent judicial inquiry into sports in Canada:
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who sentenced disgraced American gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to 175 years for sexually abusing young gymnasts, is calling for an independent judicial inquiry into sports in Canada amid widespread allegations of harassment, abuse and bullying.
Canada is working hard on the international stage to help others, such as refugees, from around the world, but has failed to protect its athletes, which has trickled down, Aquilina said.
“Coaches are simply moved. They should be removed and if an offense is found after investigation, they should be penalized and not put back in the sport,” said Aquilina.
“There needs to be an absolute ban. You have a chance to be a leader on how to do it right.”
More protection for whistleblowers
More needs to be done to encourage athletes who witness or experience abuse from coaches to come forward, including adding more protections for whistleblowers, she said.
That lack of protection, Aquilina said, was highlighted in the Nassar case, which found that coaches and sports organizations enabled his crimes.
“Bystanders and accomplices were not charged, which sends the message that Nassar was the only culprit,” she said.
Aquilina said there were hundreds of people who should have been investigated.
The issue of coaches being accused of abuse, moving to other provinces or sporting organizations and escaping scrutiny has been raised before in committee, with several current and former athletes alleging similar situations they were aware of.
Emily Mason, of Fencing for Change Canada, testified before the parliamentary committee in April that she knew a coach who had faced discipline in Vancouver and had since moved across the country to continue teaching fencing.
Parliamentary hearings began last year following media reports that Hockey Canada paid a substantial legal settlement after eight members of the 2018 men’s junior team allegedly sexually assaulted a woman.
Hockey Canada and other national sports organizations including Gymnastics Canada, Boxing Canada, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and Canada Soccer have had significant turnovers in their leadership over the past year due to allegations of toxic and abusive cultures.
The special commission will then prepare its report on abuse and misconduct in Canadian sport with recommendations for improvement.
WATCH l CBC Sports’ Scott Russell, Andi Petrillo Host Safe Sports Panel Discussion:
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CBC Sports’ Scott Russell and Andi Petrillo host a panel discussion on the issue of safe sports with Own the Podium CEO Anne Merklinger, CBC Sports journalist Jamie Strashin, and Olympians Allison Forsyth and Cynthia Appiah.
