Erroneous reports to skatesafe or Safesport? Is there any action that can be taken towards the person reporting? Reputations ruined on accusation

[opinionated]

What can be done to a damaged reputation after the Safesport/ safeskate report is found to be not guilty of conduct unbecoming a professional and accusation are unsubstantiated?
The gossip is out, there is a presumption of guilt on accusation.
Is there a statement from SafeSport or Skatesafe? Otherwise people’s gossip is as damaging as the guilty finding…

 

[VGThuy]

Yes, people can sue for defamation, and as "difficult" as these suits can be, people can win, especially in a situation that you're describing where the claims are "unsubstantiated" to where they are found "not guilty".

But imagine this happening in every situation where one reports a crime of any other kind where the investigation and prosecution of such claims fail to lead to a conviction or some other finding of guilt. Imagine if every defendant would sue every person who filed a report. Reporting crimes of sexual assault/rape is just like reporting every other crime, but, for some reason, people are much more fearful of "wrongful" accusations here than in any other criminal category and the likelihood of a "wrongful" accusation, as we have measured is, at least, not any higher of those in other fields... actually, it's much lower for these crimes when the accusations actually make it all the way to prosecution.

As to irreparable harm to reputations of those accused, as we see, most who have gotten off recover quite fast, and much of the initial response to accusations are people coming out of the woodwork to defend the reputations of the accused and attack the accuser. Further, it's not just the reputation of the accused that is vulnerable to public comment and harm, but also the accuser as well, as there is way too much evidence showing that.

Also, look at the list of many of the people who have been accused and then let off, sure there may have been angry posts online, but many of the people didn't actually lose their jobs, ability to coach/skate, etc. until the evidence has become more "overwhelming" to the point where if some end up being snubbed by some others, it's reasonable and not something that is a total wrong.

Do you have an example in mind?

 

[opinionated]

Yes, people can sue for defamation, and as "difficult" as these suits can be, people can win, especially in a situation that you're describing where the claims are "unsubstantiated" to where they are found "not guilty".

But imagine this happening in every situation where one reports a crime of any other kind where the investigation and prosecution of such claims fail to lead to a conviction or some other finding of guilt. Imagine if every defendant would sue every person who filed a report. Reporting crimes of sexual assault/rape is just like reporting every other crime, but, for some reason, people are much more fearful of "wrongful" accusations here than in any other criminal category and the likelihood of a "wrongful" accusation, as we have measured is, at least, not any higher of those in other fields... actually, it's much lower for these crimes when the accusations actually make it all the way to prosecution.

As to irreparable harm to reputations of those accused, as we see, most who have gotten off recover quite fast, and much of the initial response to accusations are people coming out of the woodwork to defend the reputations of the accused and attack the accuser. Further, it's not just the reputation of the accused that is vulnerable to public comment and harm, but also the accuser as well, as there is way too much evidence showing that.

Also, look at the list of many of the people who have been accused and then let off, sure there may have been angry posts online, but many of the people didn't actually lose their jobs, ability to coach/skate, etc. until the evidence has become more "overwhelming" to the point where if some end up being snubbed by some others, it's reasonable and not something that is a total wrong.

Do you have an example in mind?

Yes, the finding was “ not enough evidence of unprofessional acts”..
.. But letters went out to the facility and the coach resigned rather than have fights at the rink
Then more letters went to other rinks in the neighborhood only to be rescinded after safeskate/Safesport answered!
But the damage was done to the reputation!
What’s the next step for the wronged party?
A report to Safesport/safeskate made into gossip before the investigation findings is a common event..
Can there be documentation sent to the innocently accused ( not convicted) to verify findings? If found guilty there is a posting, and actions taken and made public… But if innocent only accusation and gossip occur.. No word from safeskate or Safesport about not sanctioning the accusers or the findings if innocent or not enough evidence!
This is becoming a weapon to discredit with no regard to damages done on accusations!

 

[VGThuy]

It's a similar kind of damage that happens every time anybody faces charges. Do you think every time somebody files a report of any crime, it's a weapon used to discredit the accuser with no regard to damages done? I'm sure that does happen, but do you think the whole system should be totally upended to make it harder for victims to file complaints of wrongdoing?

 

[MacMadame]

Innocent and not enough evidence are not the same thing. Lots of people get away with criminal behavior because it can't be proven.

 

[opinionated]

It's a similar kind of damage every time anybody faces charges. Do you think every time somebody files a report of any crime, it's a weapon used to discredit the accuser with no regard to damages done? I'm sure that does happen, but do you think the whole system should be totally upended to make it harder for victims to file complaints of wrongdoing?

Not harder more responsibly

 

[Lanja]

What’s the next step for the wronged party?

If you really want to pursue the matter, get advice from a lawyer, not random people on the internet.

Having said that, I agree with everything that VGThuy said.

 

[Prancer]

If you really want to pursue the matter, get advice from a lawyer, not random people on the internet.

This is the best advice. I'm not sure what @opinionated thinks posters here can do about any of this.

 

[overedge]

A report to Safesport/safeskate made into gossip before the investigation findings is a common event..

Unless you work at SafeSport, you have no way of knowing this.

 

[opinionated]

Unless you work at SafeSport, you have no way of knowing this.

…Or have witnessed it happen. The coach was not even informed by Safesport that there was an investigation.. She only found out through Gossip. When it died down, she found out that there was only hearsay evidence and no proof behind the accusations. However the damages were done… She was now tainted by negative gossip.

 

[overedge]

…Or have witnessed it happen. The coach was not even informed by Safesport that there was an investigation.. She only found out through Gossip. When it died down, she found out that there was only hearsay evidence and no proof behind the accusations. However the damages were done… She was now tainted by negative gossip.

This is a single example of a single case, and your opinion on how that one case was handled. Unless you work at SafeSport, you have no way of knowing whether this type of case is a "common event".

 

[Prancer]

…Or have witnessed it happen. The coach was not even informed by Safesport that there was an investigation.. She only found out through Gossip. When it died down, she found out that there was only hearsay evidence and no proof behind the accusations. However the damages were done… She was now tainted by negative gossip.

So again, what is it you expect to happen by posting about this here?

 

[coppertop1]

This sounds like a very weird topic

So again, what is it you expect to happen by posting about this here?

This smacks of attacking victims and trying to stir up controversy

 

[Frau Muller]

Can only think about Dalilah.

 

[once_upon]

I dont think it's appropriate to start guessing what the OP is eluding to. It does no one presumed to be the subject of an unfounded statement a case one way or the other.

 

[Miezekatze]

…Or have witnessed it happen. The coach was not even informed by Safesport that there was an investigation.. She only found out through Gossip. When it died down, she found out that there was only hearsay evidence and no proof behind the accusations. However the damages were done… She was now tainted by negative gossip.

And now you are improving things for her by anonymous postings on the internet, which will if anythin gonly make people gossip more?

 

[MacMadame]

I've seen plenty of gossip about coaches and people still keep using them and they keep getting work. Gossip dies down over time. Posting on FSU about it will only delay that process.

 

[Rainbow]

What can be done to a damaged reputation after the Safesport/ safeskate report is found to be not guilty of conduct unbecoming a professional and accusation are unsubstantiated?
The gossip is out, there is a presumption of guilt on accusation.
Is there a statement from SafeSport or Skatesafe? Otherwise people’s gossip is as damaging as the guilty finding…

Did Safesport publish anything about the case in the first place? Because if not, why would you expect them to put a statement out? Besides, experience shows your friend will be fine regardless. Just look at the likes of Faifr. Even convicted still in the business.

 

[Carolla5501]

Can we just lock this thread and move on.. the person spreading the "gossip" is the OP and this is not the place for legal advice.

Or alternatively we call put the OP on ignore and this thread will just "disappear" (I am heading off to do that right now)

 

[opinionated]

So again, what is it you expect to happen by posting about this here?

Does the accused have rights too? ( if no findings are actionable)?

 

[On My Own]

Does the accused have rights too? ( if no findings are actionable)?

Go talk to a lawyer. Which part of this is beyond you?

 

[Prancer]

Does the accused have rights too? ( if no findings are actionable)?

Why are you asking a question like this on a website for skating fans? Do you think we have the answers?

Go talk to a lawyer. Which part of this is beyond you?

Exactly.

 

[opinionated]

Read for knowledge

https://athletesforequity.org/about/

 

[aliona22]

You should probably talk to a therapist or counselor about your feelings as well. Retaliation is never the answer in theses circumstances and it is certainly not an appropriate course of action for a coach to take against a report of abuse.

 

[VGThuy]

Read for knowledge

https://athletesforequity.org/about/

Thanks for the link, which provided some useful articles are the shortfalls of the current SafeSport procedures, which one can argue violates an accused's due process rights, which will ultimately undermine the organization's ability to administer justice to those who have been victims.

This article this organization linked is useful:

U.S. Center for SafeSport was created to protect athletes from abuse. But is it working?

Tasked with protecting athletes at Olympic and youth levels, U.S. Center for SafeSport criticized for delayed investigations, lack of transparency.

www.usatoday.com

The lack of notice, among other things, is troubling.

However, your other posts indicate that you think everybody who has an allegation of misconduct alleged against them should be able to maintain their privacy, and not face any sort of temporary suspension while the investigation is on-going or when charges are pending, and when SafeSport has set a hearing date.

If we adopt your position, then there can be a case where a coach of athletes (both of the age of minority and the age of majority) has had multiple documented complaints of sexual misconduct levied against them and despite pending investigation and even prosecution of those charges, the relevant sporting body would have no discretion or power to take the safety and welfare of their athletes into consideration. This then would allow that coach to continue to work with the athletes and leave all non-parties* who work with the coach ignorant that this person may have conducted sexual misconduct and that there are pending charges against the accused and allow him to be in proximity to them.

The above scenario is actually one of major issues the article the organization linked above cites. I do think the interests of due process and the safety of the athletes can be a balanced here, but that balance may look different to everybody. I think what needs to be done is thorough, but speedy, investigations and proceedings where the rights of the accused are respected and protected to better ensure that the alleged victims are also provided quick and transparent action on their claims, and things aren't dangling for years.

Also, just to reiterate, in criminal investigations, law enforcement doesn't usually have a duty to keep the identification of the adult person they want to investigate for an alleged crime private, and criminal court proceedings are public for adult defendants and witnesses.

*Non-parties include: co-workers, parents hiring, athlete clients, organizers providing credentials, sporting body officials, training center management/owner, anybody in proximity to them while the accused is in their official capacity, etc.