House of Representatives Passes Bill to Prevent Sexual Abuse in Olympic Sports

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on passage of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act in the House of Representatives:

“It’s great news that the House has passed companion legislation to my bill to protect young athletes from sexual abuse. I look forward to working with Chairman Goodlatte and Representatives Brooks and Frankel to work out the differences between our bills. We must do all we can to protect children.”

Feinstein’s bill stems from recent allegations of sexual abuse made against personnel involved with USA Gymnastics and USA Taekwondo.

In addition to requiring immediate reporting of child and sex-abuse allegations, Feinstein’s bill would amend the Ted Stevens Amateur and Olympic Sports Act, which governs U.S. Olympic sport governing bodies, to make it safe and easy for victims to report abuse and mandate oversight of member gymnasiums to ensure strong sexual-abuse prevention policies are implemented. For example, USA Gymnastics would have to implement and enforce policies to ensure coaches and personnel are trained in sexual abuse prevention.