Keeping Track of Criminal Cases & SafeSport Suspensions in Skating

[BittyBug]

All sports are ripe for abuse because athletes are so dependent on their coaches. There is also often a lot of intense contact, which can cross lines. There is also an attitude that all sacrifices are worth it that causes athletes to put up with behavior from those in charge that they wouldn't in other situations.

But sports with lookism being part of the score are worse. And sports where one gender is scarcer than the other also have their own issues. And sports where most of the participants are women have more issues with male coaches taking advantage of them.

Figure skating and gymnastics have all these things.

Of the Olympic sports, only figure skating has mixed gender partnering, which adds another severe vulnerability, in part because of the male partner scarcity that you noted, which creates a power imbalance, but also age gaps and the fact that it’s much easier to switch coaches than it is to switch partners.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

USA Swimming has had a number of public sexual abuses/assault complaints (and coverups) and elite level running has too. It's likely that there are tons of sports where the culture is such that few survivors have ever gone public. And since it's believed that a good percentage of male survivors never come forward, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that the numbers of unreported cases in several of the "manly" sports were rather large.

 

[her grace]

And it’s not just minors. Many athlete victims have reported abuse suffered as adults.

 

[Dragonlady]

It's very perplexing that these jurisdictional issues and rules are not clearly outlined, or clearly understood.

And again for the people in the back it's time for the ISU to create their own tribunal process for sexual misconduct, harassment and abuse.

If they're going to let skaters jump around to represent other countries, as well as not ignore that they live, compete and train in countries either not their own, they need to offer a system to protect these victims and address their complaints.

It shouldn't matter where they are from, or where the abuse happens.

It may not be a legal form of justice. But if an abused skater knows that all they have to do is submit a claim to one governing body( who should be concerned about addressing abuse in their sport) and not worry about where the skater is from or what country they were in when it occurred, that would be something.

The problem with your "easy peasey" solution is that the skaters are generally teenagers or very young adults with little credibility who are accusing much older and more established coaches, who have a career and a standing to protect. When the abuser is an Olympic/Worlds level coach, the skating establishment will protect him, as we've seen over and over again.

When Bob Young was first accused to sexually abusing one of his students, parents of other skaters at the rink supported the coach, saying the girl in question was going into his office and locking the door. She was a willing participant. Two years later, the same parents who were defending Young, were filing suit because he had abused their daughters.

I'm talking out of my butt here and I know what I am about to say is an opinion based on anecdotes, but is there a sport( maybe other than gymnastics) that has as much abuse and particularly sexual abuse as figure skating?

I'm hearing that swimming/diving is a worse mess than gymnastics and is a scandal just waiting to happen. There was a huge scandal years ago in Canada, when a national level rowing coach was sexually abusing some of his charges. I remember this clearly, because a family member was a member of the rowing team involved, although she wasn't one of those being abused.

Minor hockey in Canada has had a number of high profile sex abuse scandals. Young men on an NHL track are frequently playing for teams far from home, and billeted with families in the towns they're sent to. It makes them easy targets for abuse.

 

[chantilly]

The problem with your "easy peasey" solution is that the skaters are generally teenagers or very young adults with little credibility who are accusing much older and more established coaches, who have a career and a standing to protect. When the abuser is an Olympic/Worlds level coach, the skating establishment will protect him, as we've seen over and over again.

When Bob Young was first accused to sexually abusing one of his students, parents of other skaters at the rink supported the coach, saying the girl in question was going into his office and locking the door. She was a willing participant. Two years later, the same parents who were defending Young, were filing suit because he had abused their daughters.



I'm hearing that swimming/diving is a worse mess than gymnastics and is a scandal just waiting to happen. There was a huge scandal years ago in Canada, when a national level rowing coach was sexually abusing some of his charges. I remember this clearly, because a family member was a member of the rowing team involved, although she wasn't one of those being abused.

Minor hockey in Canada has had a number of high profile sex abuse scandals. Young men on an NHL track are frequently playing for teams far from home, and billeted with families in the towns they're sent to. It makes them easy targets for abuse.

On your first point, reporting to a national, local board or safe sport organization wouldn't really change the above situation though. Victims are afraid to report period, no matter the governing body. I'm not addressing failure, shame or fear to report. What I am saying is that when a victim makes the brave choice to report, there's nowhere for them to go if there's jurisdictional barriers.

On your second fact, Ugh this is so depressing to hear. I did hear about the hockey stuff and there's definitely been sexual abuse from coaches in hockey as well. I would love to believe that we can address grooming, pedophilia, and sexual abuse in a preventative way through discussion and guidance and I'm not saying that shouldn't be done. But I honestly feel to eradicate abusers we need to continue to educate that it's not the victim's fault and that they are not alone etc. But unfortunately we have a long way to go to achieve that level of awareness and autonomy. And the abusers break that down as part of their abuse.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

The problem with your "easy peasey" solution is that the skaters are generally teenagers or very young adults with little credibility who are accusing much older and more established coaches, who have a career and a standing to protect. When the abuser is an Olympic/Worlds level coach, the skating establishment will protect him, as we've seen over and over again.

I don’t think @chantilly was at all flippant or called it “easy peasy,” and I also don’t see this how this is an argument against creating an ISU level body to reduce jurisdictional issues.

The problem you cite is a problem everywhere, all the time. I don’t see why that means we should throw up our hands and not try things that might make some change because it turns out it won’t be easy.

 

[MacMadame]

Of the Olympic sports, only figure skating has mixed gender partnering, which adds another severe vulnerability, in part because of the male partner scarcity that you noted, which creates a power imbalance, but also age gaps and the fact that it’s much easier to switch coaches than it is to switch partners.

This is true.

But the fawning over boys and letting them get away with everything is definitely in sports like gymnastics. And that leads to behavior like we see in skating, where they feel entitled to women which leads to abuse.

 

[overedge]

In Canada, "All federally-funded national sport organizations, multisport service organizations and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Centres and Institutes are required to adopt the Canadian Safe Sport Program to receive funding." (this is from here).

If the ISU had its own international safe sport program (which I think it should FWIW) and required member federations to use it, I wonder if that would threaten Skate Canada's access to federal funding - since it wouldn't be using the Canadian program. That might also be an issue in other countries with a national safe sport program that operates independently of the sport federations.

 

[emilieh]

If the ISU had its own international safe sport program (which I think it should FWIW) and required member federations to use it, I wonder if that would threaten Skate Canada's access to federal funding - since it wouldn't be using the Canadian program. That might also be an issue in other countries with a national safe sport program that operates independently of the sport federations.

I would think that both programs could coexist. A recreational skater and his or her family shouldn't have to go to the ISU to report someone if they aren't involved at the international level either. But obviously having a way to report to the ISU would benefit many victims whose abusers are participants (skaters/coaches/officials etc) at the international level. I think of a certain coach/choreographer that has almost certainly committed actionable offenses in an obvious way but continues to work in the U.S. by staying outside of the USFS system and working only with international skaters. (From what I have heard, at least)

 

[MacMadame]

If the ISU had its own international safe sport program (which I think it should FWIW) and required member federations to use it, I wonder if that would threaten Skate Canada's access to federal funding - since it wouldn't be using the Canadian program. That might also be an issue in other countries with a national safe sport program that operates independently of the sport federations.

These things can be worked out.

 

[Dragonlady]

I don’t think @chantilly was at all flippant or called it “easy peasy,” and I also don’t see this how this is an argument against creating an ISU level body to reduce jurisdictional issues.

The problem you cite is a problem everywhere, all the time. I don’t see why that means we should throw up our hands and not try things that might make some change because it turns out it won’t be easy.

I didn't suggest that we throw up our hands and do nothing. I just pointed out that there are good and valid reasons why people don't report and nothing is being done to address it.

 

[chantilly]

I didn't suggest that we throw up our hands and do nothing. I just pointed out that there are good and valid reasons why people don't report and nothing is being done to address it.

Absolutely correct. I think that's a lot about education, particularly with boys and men about how they see women. How to understand, approach and use power in relationships.
Also instilling the idea that it's not the victim's fault and understanding the stakes in elite sport for reporting. And accepting that no talent is worth protecting if they are an abuser.
It's a huge shift. It will take a long time.

 

[Dragonlady]

Absolutely correct. I think that's a lot about education, particularly with boys and men about how they see women. How to understand, approach and use power in relationships.
Also instilling the idea that it's not the victim's fault and understanding the stakes in elite sport for reporting. And accepting that no talent is worth protecting if they are an abuser.
It's a huge shift. It will take a long time.

It's not just that it will take a long time to fix things, it's that things are actually getting worse, and it's harder and harder to report this stuff because of the money involved.

The Bob Young case happened between 2000 and 2007 and Young was never charged with a crime, despite settling several law suits. Police cited "lack of evidence" and the Statute of Limitations. Young was banned from coaching figure skating by the USFSA, so he simply changed jobs and became a "professional photographer" and "model scout". Young has never been charged although he has settled numerous law suits.

In the 25 years since this highly publicized case, what's changed??? If anything, I think the whole situation has gotten worse for those reporting since the Young case. Like we saw with Bob Young, if the coach is taking students to the top podiums in the world, people are more than willing to blame the victim, or claim they were a willing participant, and the coach is not to blame.

We keep talking about teaching victims to keep themselves safe. When are we going to start talking to the MEN involved and teaching them not to sexually abuse or rape women. We spend a lot of time teaching girls how to keep themselves safe from being victimized or assaults, when are we going to start teaching MEN not to molest or rape little girls?

 

[Allskate]

Ashley Foy (the survivor in the Sorensen case) is unbelievably brave and determined. IIRC she went through all of the "safe sport" proceedings against him to date without a lawyer formally representing her, and now we learn that she flew from Europe to the US just to file a police report about the assault.

It sounds like Foy is still pursuing this. She is trying to raise money for an attorney. I noticed that Emi Zingas has donated and it was not anonymous.

Foy Ice Performance | Ashley Foy on Instagram: "I am so sorry to ask people for their money but at this point, I am cornered and losing my case, and I need legal help to protect Canadian athletes. Please consider donating to my GoFundMe to hire a law

263 likes, 5 comments - foy.ice on June 20, 2026: "I am so sorry to ask people for their money but at this point, I am cornered and losing my case, and I need legal help to protect Canadian athletes. Please consider donating to my GoFundMe to hire a lawyer in my case: https://gofund.me/204134449...

www.instagram.com

 

[Alilou]

It sounds like Foy is still pursuing this. She is trying to raise money for an attorney. I noticed that Emi Zingas has donated and it was not anonymous.

Foy Ice Performance | Ashley Foy on Instagram: "I am so sorry to ask people for their money but at this point, I am cornered and losing my case, and I need legal help to protect Canadian athletes. Please consider donating to my GoFundMe to hire a law

263 likes, 5 comments - foy.ice on June 20, 2026: "I am so sorry to ask people for their money but at this point, I am cornered and losing my case, and I need legal help to protect Canadian athletes. Please consider donating to my GoFundMe to hire a lawyer in my case: https://gofund.me/204134449...

www.instagram.com

I just donated. He violently raped her. I don't care how long ago it was. He did what he did. He should be not be able to get away with it.

 

[Allskate]

I just donated. He violently raped her. I don't care how long ago it was. He did what he did. He should be not be able to get away with it.

And he definitely should not be allowed to coach and be around vulnerable girls and women. Plus, the rulings could set a dangerous precedent for other skaters.

 

[Private Citizen]

Happy to donate, but is there no good lawyer who will take her case pro bono?

 

[PRlady]

Donated as well. Wish it could be more. I really respect her for pursuing this.

You know, like a lot of hetero women in my generation, I remember “consent” as trickier than black and white in some cases. I really prefer objective legal investigations to trial by social media. But in this case the crime is so egregious, an investigation found him guilty, and he’s getting off on a jurisdictional technicality. Unbelievable and frustrating.

 

[SnowQueen11]

Happy to donate, but is there no good lawyer who will take her case pro bono?

She has previously stated she had limited assistance from legal pro bono organizations. However, she has been handling it all on her own as of lately. It seems they are trying to get him off on a jurisdictional technicality … I’m sure his legal team is playing games.

I would imagine it’s necessary for her to have a competent attorney to help subpoena documents and argue against legal loop holes. I wouldn’t be surprised if IAM is funding his legal representation! Hard to fight against a machine.

Donated as well. Wish it could be more. I really respect her for pursuing this.

You know, like a lot of hetero women in my generation, I remember “consent” as trickier than black and white in some cases. I really prefer objective legal investigations to trial by social media. But in this case the crime is so egregious, an investigation found him guilty, and he’s getting off on a jurisdictional technicality. Unbelievable and frustrating.

 

[once_upon]

I wouldn’t be surprised if IAM is funding his legal representation! Hard to fight against a machine.

This

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I would imagine it’s necessary for her to have a competent attorney to help subpoena documents and argue against legal loop holes. I wouldn’t be surprised if IAM is funding his legal representation! Hard to fight against a machine.

I hate that this might be true.

 

[overedge]

The link to Ashley Foy's gofundme for anyone who doesn't want to go through Instagram.
https://gofund.me/204134449

 

[Allskate]

Donated as well. Wish it could be more.

It all adds up. Plus, she may draw comfort from knowing how many people support her and that she is raising awareness.
.

 

[skatfan]

I made a small donation. Hope it will make difference.

 

[MacMadame]

Happy to donate, but is there no good lawyer who will take her case pro bono?

Even if they do, there will be costs.

I wouldn’t be surprised if IAM is funding his legal representation! Hard to fight against a machine.

Do they have that kind of money? Lawyers are expensive. And what would they get for spending that kind of money? They have plenty of skaters and coaches with his credentials that aren't a PR nightmare.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Has she pursued a civil case?

That might be a more successful approach.

Here is a firm in Connecticut where the rape occurred that specializes in such cases.

Sexual Assault & Abuse Victims Lawyers, West Hartford CT | Walsh Woodard LLC

Our attorneys are honored to stand up for victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse. Free, confidential consultation.

walshwoodard.com

And this can be a successful strategy in Quebec where Sørensen resides:

Going to Civil Court After Experiencing Sexual Violence: An Option for Getting Compensation | Understanding the Law | Éducaloi

Someone who has experienced sexual violence has many options. If a criminal case doesn’t go the way you hoped, you can also file an application in civil court.

educaloi.qc.ca

This US firm's FAQ is very informative, despite being in a different state, a lot of the info is worth thinking sbout.

What types of evidence are needed in a sexual assault civil lawsuit?

Civil lawsuits for sexual assault have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. We take a look at the kinds of evidence that could help your civil case in Seattle.

www.blankenshiplawfirm.com

 

[Alilou]

Has she pursued a civil case?

That might be a more successful approach.

Here is a firm in Connecticut where the rape occurred that specializes in such cases.

Sexual Assault & Abuse Victims Lawyers, West Hartford CT | Walsh Woodard LLC

Our attorneys are honored to stand up for victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse. Free, confidential consultation.

walshwoodard.com

And this can be a successful strategy in Quebec where Sørensen resides:

Going to Civil Court After Experiencing Sexual Violence: An Option for Getting Compensation | Understanding the Law | Éducaloi

Someone who has experienced sexual violence has many options. If a criminal case doesn’t go the way you hoped, you can also file an application in civil court.

educaloi.qc.ca

This US firm's FAQ is very informative, despite being in a different state, a lot of the info is worth thinking sbout.

What types of evidence are needed in a sexual assault civil lawsuit?

Civil lawsuits for sexual assault have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. We take a look at the kinds of evidence that could help your civil case in Seattle.

www.blankenshiplawfirm.com

Anyone got any ideas as to how we can get this info to Ashley Foy?

 

[skategal]

Anyone got any ideas as to how we can get this info to Ashley Foy?

Send it to her DMs on Instagram.

 

[Alilou]

Send it to her DMs on Instagram.

I'll do that. Thank you.

ETA Done

 

[Allskate]

Has she pursued a civil case?

That might be a more successful approach.

There would be complex jurisdictional issues as well as statute of limitations issues in a civil case. Her primary goal at this point seems to be trying to make sure there is action taken by an entity like Safesport. There already was a finding that he raped her. The issue is whether there was jurisdiction to make that finding.