Cipres accused of sexual misconduct

[starrynight]

I think every generation solves many problems from the previous generation and then replaces them with new, different problems

 

[cholla]

I've had to stop accepting Words with Friends games from men I don't know because they'll get two moves in and then immediately start chatting and flirting. Words With Friends, for fcuk's sake.

Same. I even had several men impersonating famous people from the army using real pictures of the officers they were impersonating. Who did they think I am, seriously? Like all the highest ranked officers deployed in Afghanistan suddenly wanted to play with me! I had a list of countless men I had to block. Not for impersonating public figures but because they immediately wanted to chat. First line "hello how are you". Second "Are you married ?" Turning off the chat fixture would have kept me from chatting with people I actually know, so I wrote "NO CHATTING PLEASE" in my profile and they could not care less. I removed my picture, changed my screen name and it wasn't enough so I grew tired of turning off games requests from unknown men and I just stopped playing. The report fixture on WWF stopped working ages ago so you can't even get these men to be banned from the game. It's a word game app for feck sake!

 

[The Observer]

Wow.

The only thing that seems so strange here is Sylvia Fontana and John Zimmerman being so corrupt like this.

I am glad this is being taken seriously.

Yes, that's the most disturbing part of the allegations so far.

It's not that surprising that a man would send dirty photos to an underage girl because we know that happens a lot. What's more surprising is the allegations that Fontana & Zimmerman tried to cover up the girl's story. Sylvia & John have always had reputations as good people up until now, so it's disturbing if this turns out to be true.

 

[MsZem]

You are so totally right. As someone who have had to endure her loudness and entitled attitude in press rooms, I can't say I have Brennan in high personal regard. But she is extremely GOOD at her job. I don't care that she enjoys having big stories, I can even relate, as long as these big stories are true. She denounces what has been a real plague in sports for ages. She is doing a great job and a job that takes a lot of determination, guts, persistence and dedication. I could not care less she is not the funniest person to be around, I don't even care for her motivations. If they are personal for the wrong reason or whatever, so be it. Sexual harassment in sports, just like everywhere else, has to stop. Period. If she can help it to stop : great. That's what journalists are here for too. She is doing her job and she is doing it extremely well.

It's always good to have your impression of someone confirmed by those who know - though nicer when it's a positive impression

You're right, of course, that it doesn't matter if Brennan is personally annoying. She's a good journalist, and she's doing important work on this issue. I'm sure this story was well-vetted and you can see that it's very carefully written to avoid potential liability (e.g., the messages "sent from what appears to be Cipres’ verified account", not "by Cipres"). She knows what she's doing, and it's good for skaters to have an advocate in her position.

 

[chachacha]

Well of course they haven't been contacted yet - the investigation will conclude with interviews with them, they will contact everyone else first.

If Safe sport was investigating the coaches, don’t they typically suspend the coaches until they complete the investigation? One would think if this incident was reported months ago that they would suspend the coaches?

 

[Willin]

@misskarne @cholla This is why I limit my social media posts to places and content that will limit my unsolicited dick pics. Also I avoid online/social games specifically because I know they lead to dick pics. I get enough street harassment for a lifetime - often from dudes in cars that I can't yell at. I've had middle aged business man block my path down some stairs so I would have to go around them on the ramp, allowing them to stare at my butt longer (only to have them say "have a good day miss!" as I finally turned around to call them out on it). I've had a guy my parents' age use almost hitting me with a bicycle as an excuse to stop me so he could ask me on a date (spoiler alert: I said no). I've had guys try to flirt with me or ask me out even after I told them I was engaged. I've had multiple classmates over the years tell me very explicitly what they'd like to do to me before I blocked them on social media - I only got one successfully suspended, and only because there was one witness of a full class willing to come forward. It shouldn't be a problem any of us women have to face online or in person. I shouldn't have to avoid social media or games to avoid it.



@The Observer @Lanie For me the biggest question mark and even more disturbing is the behavior of the third coach. The fact that he asked the girls to ask Cipres for the pictures in the first place suggests he was in on the sexual harassment. I can see no acceptable reason for him to do that. Especially given that, as users have pointed out, the girls asking for the pictures makes some people see this as more of a gray area than it is - giving him and/or Cipres an "out" in their minds. For me, them asking for the pictures is no defense for Cipres given that they did not ask for the pictures of their own volition and possibly had no idea what the pictures even were!

 

[rfisher]

Whether or not SafeSport officially suspends Fontanta and Zimmerman, the damage to their personal and professional reputation is done. Skating has always had a nudge nudge wink wink closed atmosphere, but it was contained within the skating community. People knew it, but as long as it wasn't public knowledge (general public) it could be ignored or parents could pretend it didn't exist. When your name is posted in a USA Today article people who have no relationship to skating see it. Your kids teachers, your parents, the neighbors, the people at the grocery store...one person sees it and then every one knows. I can't imagine the conversation they are having with their own children. Friends of parents whose kids skate suddenly start asking them if their kids are OK which makes it even more difficult for the parent to pretend otherwise. And, now I think we wait for the other shoe to drop. Or a whole closet of them.

And 13 year olds, even if they asked for the pics, are under the age of consent. They are immature. To do something in exchange for pizza is an example of that immaturity. And, it was stupid of Cipres to send them whether he wants to claim he didn't know they were underage or not. Sexual predators are set up by authorities all the time. To send what would legally be classified as pornography to someone you don't know is really stupid. This time he got his dick caught in a knot.

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

If Safe sport was investigating the coaches, don’t they typically suspend the coaches until they complete the investigation? One would think if this incident was reported months ago that they would suspend the coaches?

Just to hazard a guess, I think that since neither were actually involved in the offense themselves, there would be no need to immediately suspend them. As for their delinquency of duty to report, that is what the investigation is for.

 

[AxelAnnie]

No-one I know personally would do it but then how do you know? However yep the dating sites are full of men who do it. As well as women who have no problem showing stuff as well. Maybe it is a generational thing.

But your posts do come across as excusing me about their behaviour. Again maybe a generational thing. When people are making comments about it that is perception that is being conveyed.

I NEVER meant to excuse that behavior. It is appalling and really gross. Don't know what I said that conveyed that.

 

[Erin]

If Safe sport was investigating the coaches, don’t they typically suspend the coaches until they complete the investigation? One would think if this incident was reported months ago that they would suspend the coaches?

It has been posted here by people more in the know than myself that SafeSport doesn’t issue a temporary suspension until they have done a certain amount of investigating. People are not suspended immediately when an accusation is made. Also, not all investigations end up requiring temporary suspensions. I can think of at least two coaches in gymnastics right now who are being investigated but have not been suspended during the course of the investigation.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I attended a youth cybersecurity training not too long ago and one of the things that stood out to me was when the trainer said it used to be that someone would send/request nudes after one or more dates. Now, however, it's more common that sending/requesting nudes happens even before the first date like it's a prerequisite to getting a date. And it's almost always done (in younger groups) via social media apps with a DM function.

I am so glad I am old. Requesting nudes before a first date? How do people think that behavior is decent?

 

[Frau Muller]

Lol as someone who's studied eras when "decent values" and religion was common, I can tell you that what is happening today is only part of a trend. In fact, studies show that people in our generations (millenials and Gen Z) are having sex later and having less sex than people in your generation. Soooooo....

And this case has nothing to do with it. Sexual predation and sexual predators have always existed. In fact, I see this coming to light as a good thing: we are starting to recognize and call out these problems. We've come a long ways from the days when my mom (who's likely from your generation) had to put up with a stripper coming to the office to celebrate the birthday of a coworker (a man of the Greatest Generation).

It depends on where people grew up. The “flower power bra-burners” of Calif and NY in the 60s vs those of us who lived in more conservative regions with parents who kept close watch on us. Some of us Baby Boomer girls learned to keep our legs closed until marriage. Sex barely registered because we had better things to do with our lives. If anything, as a family, we looked down on and laughed at the bra-burning free-love types whenever they were shown on TV.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I am so glad I am old. Requesting nudes before a first date? How do people think that behavior is decent?

I'm so old, back in the day we requested marble statues and cave paintings.

 

[allezfred]

And isn’t that a very sad commentary on the lack of religion and “decent values” in today’s households? I’m so grateful to having parents from The Greatest Generation, including an amazing stay-at-home mom. Responsible parenting.

 

[peibeck]

It's not being leaked. It's being reported on. A leak would come from within the SafeSport organisation, not from an investigative journalist operating outside of it.

Yes, it's being reported on, duh. But
SafeSport investigations are done in quiet. There has been no sanction or investigation mention on their website. So how did Brennan come up with the story? Obviously from a source with knowledge of a private investigation. That is, indeed, a leak.

Almost all of investigative reporting begins with leaks. Where would current political reporting be without them?

 

[zebraswan]

Yes, I'm sure Morgan turned out to be the way he is because of his bra-burning, godless American hippie parents...good grief

 

[Vagabond]

Yes, I'm sure Morgan turned out to be the way he is because of his bra-burning, godless American hippie parents...good grief

Yes, exactly. Just like being raised by godless, hippie parents drove so many clergymen to abuse children.

 

[MarieM]

Not to defend Morgan or anything, I'd like to point out that in France, when in college or more, it's still pretty common to do and send pictures of anyone's private parts. Like "rite de passage". It's still popular in engineer, commercial, medical schools. It's even mandatory.
So the work on these aspects in France really needs a LOT of work. Patriarchy is so strong it'll take time to overtake this.

 

[overedge]

Four months with such high profile skaters..........that is poor management. Everyone is under staffed. Work smarter.

This article says there are 19 cases for every Safe Sport investigator. https://deadspin.com/safesport-the-usocs-attempt-to-stop-child-abuse-is-se-1826279217

These are complex cases with multiple participants and events. Resolving them isn't just a matter of reading something quickly and writing a report. There's interviews, evidence collection, and hearings. If the investigators were quicker, that would probably mean not doing a full or fair job, which would defeat the whole purpose of SafeSport existing.

I NEVER meant to excuse that behavior. It is appalling and really gross. Don't know what I said that conveyed that.

I'm guessing it's your constant references to men having to watch themselves because they can be wrongfully accused.

 

[Wyliefan]

And isn’t that a very sad commentary on the lack of religion and “decent values” in today’s households? I’m so grateful to having parents from The Greatest Generation, including an amazing stay-at-home mom. Responsible parenting.

That isn't how it works. All the religion, decent values, and responsible parenting in the world can't protect a person from the effects of what other people choose to do to them. Lots of religious people from good families have stories of being flashed or harrassed or abused.

 

[Japanfan]

Not to defend Morgan or anything, I'd like to point out that in France, when in college or more, it's still pretty common to do and send pictures of anyone's private parts. Like "rite de passage". It's still popular in engineer, commercial, medical schools. It's even mandatory.

Please explain what you mean by 'even mandatory'. I really can't imagine that a college/university would include sexting in its requirements for graduation.

 

[canbelto]

@Frau Muller your comment is disgusting. So I suppose this 13 year old had hippie, bra-burning parents and that's why it happened?

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

So how did Brennan come up with the story? Obviously from a source with knowledge of a private investigation. That is, indeed, a leak.

Almost all of investigative reporting begins with leaks. Where would current political reporting be without them?

Mr.Lease? It can't be too hard to figure out who the involved parties are and get a jump on the story.

 

[MarieM]

Please explain what you mean by 'even mandatory'. I really can't imagine that a college/university would include sexting in its requirements for graduation.

That's what students do. Are expected to do from all the others.
Things ARE changing, but not very fast. At my time, it was rolls and rolls of such pictures being voted on and even in schools where there were more girls than boys (like vet schools).
Students also received "acknowledgements" and "medals" for those acts if they were "falluchard" wich is a sort of fraternity.
Not participating in this meant you are pushed "out" of the class.
I never said university/schools (we call them schools not college) ask for it. They'd like for it to change or so they say.
I said it's still pretty much part of the students life.
I hope it'll change, but I've been waiting since 2000 and I still see little change on that part.

 

[antmanb]

I knew dick pics were a thing but have never received any. My online dating years were 2008-2011, apparently before the trend started.

I think you were just lucky, they have become more prevalent these days with the advent of apps but they were definitely a thing then they just landed in email or dating site inboxes.

 

[Tavi]

Yes, it's being reported on, duh. But
SafeSport investigations are done in quiet. There has been no sanction or investigation mention on their website. So how did Brennan come up with the story? Obviously from a source with knowledge of a private investigation. That is, indeed, a leak.

Almost all of investigative reporting begins with leaks. Where would current political reporting be without them?

The article doesn’t state who initially told CB about the investigation, but it’s pretty clear that she has been in direct contact with the family:

“The girl’s parents provided USA TODAY Sports with a Dec. 30, 2017 email sent from their daughter’s tutor, whose name is not being used to protect the identity of the family, to Dara Bushman, a psychologist who worked with their daughter.”

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Mr.Lease? It can't be too hard to figure out who the involved parties are and get a jump on the story.

Wouldn't surprise me. He really is the Maleficent of the skating community.

 

[Meoima]

And isn’t that a very sad commentary on the lack of religion and “decent values” in today’s households? I’m so grateful to having parents from The Greatest Generation, including an amazing stay-at-home mom. Responsible parenting.

I grew up without any religion and the majority of my friends are the same. Like 95% of them do not practice any religion. And none of them think this kind of action is fine. Oh and we are from a 3rd world country. Decency doesn’t need religion. Not that I condemn religion. Practice it or not doesn’t make a difference if you are an a***hole.

 

[RoseRed]

The first guy who sent me dick picks (unsolicited) grew up with Catholic parents and went to a Catholic high school. Religion has nothing to do with it.

 

[Orm Irian]

So how did Brennan come up with the story? Obviously from a source with knowledge of a private investigation. That is, indeed, a leak.

Have you considered that maybe the girl's family or representatives (with her permission) contacted Brennan themselves, directly, because of her good record in reporting on other instances of child sexual abuse in figure skating? Would that be a leak, by your definition - people speaking out on their own behalf, to draw attention to a wrong and fight an injustice, and let other parents and kids know that they might be in danger if they continue to skate at that rink?