Stephanie Foster’s report also revealed 38 complaints relating to bad behaviour by politicians had been made to the Department of Finance in recent years.
(File image).
Photo: 123RF
Australia s human rights watchdog commissioned the review of the country s gymnastics program in August last year, following complaints of physical and mental abuse by former gymnasts, who said they were made to train and compete while injured. Gymnastics Australia unreservedly apologises to all athletes and family members who have had any form of abuse participating in our sport, Gymnastics Australia president Ben Heap told a news conference in Sydney on Monday. The report is confronting, identifying systemic issues that affect athlete experiences and wellbeing at all levels of the sport.
Gymnastics Australia said it would adopt all 12 recommendations made in the report, which also included strengthening coach engagement and accountability, and broadening the sport s understanding of child abuse and neglect.
Crime by Julian Linden
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Subscriber only Australian sporting bodies accused of turning a blind eye to the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of young, mostly female gymnasts have been told it is time they admitted to their shameful failings to protect their victims. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has called on Gymnastics Australia, and other major sporting bodies that ran gymnastics programs, to offer a formal apology to everyone who suffered abuse. The abuse and harm experienced by members of the gymnastics community in Australia over many decades is significant and has had deeply felt and long-lasting impacts, the AHRC said.
Source: Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission has today released the final report of the Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia 2021 (the Review).
The Commission was engaged by Gymnastics Australia in August 2020 to conduct the Review following the release of the documentary ‘Athlete A’, which prompted athletes in Australia to come forward with their own experiences.
The Review gathered evidence on the nature and impact of misconduct, bullying, sexual harassment and assault on athletes, the drivers for such conduct, and the effectiveness of measures in place to prevent and respond to it. Over the course of the Review, the Commission identified systemic issues within the sport of gymnastics in Australia which are set out in the report published today.
Date Time
Commission launches final report of Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia
The Australian Human Rights Commission has today released the final report of the Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia 2021 (the Review).
The Commission was engaged by Gymnastics Australia in August 2020 to conduct the Review following the release of the documentary ‘Athlete A’, which prompted athletes in Australia to come forward with their own experiences.
The Review gathered evidence on the nature and impact of misconduct, bullying, sexual harassment and assault on athletes, the drivers for such conduct, and the effectiveness of measures in place to prevent and respond to it. Over the course of the Review, the Commission identified systemic issues within the sport of gymnastics in Australia which are set out in the report published today.