NOTE: Chairman Grassley has backed multiple efforts to fight sexual abuse, convening a hearing and passing legislation with a focus on the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics. After hearing from several gymnasts, he recently led a letter cosigned by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to FBI Director Chris Wray seeking an explanation for how the bureau handled the reported abuse and subsequent investigation.
Prepared Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
Before a hearing of Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection
“Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with Solutions”
July 24, 2018
Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening this hearing and giving me the opportunity to participate.
As a parent, as a grandparent, I can think of no issue of greater importance than keeping children safe from sexual predators. The abuse scandal that’s the focus of today’s hearing is a grim reminder of just that. Unfortunately, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University aren’t the only institutions that have made headlines over the years due to sexual abuse of young athletes. Other institutions have also struggled with this issue.
Sexual abuse, in any form, is an especially troubling crime because its victims suffer both physical and mental trauma that can last a lifetime. When the abuse is by a coach or a team doctor and the victim is a minor, the betrayal of trust is even greater. In this case, when there were adults in a position to intervene, but they failed to act, it’s particularly tragic.
Larry Nassar, the former national team doctor with USA Gymnastics, abused hundreds of victims over a period of years. The significant sentences he received ensure that he’ll never again hurt a young gymnast or any other child. But we must do more to prevent these horrific crimes from happening again. Congressional oversight of the FBI falls within the jurisdiction of our Judiciary Committee. After hearing one gymnast’s complaint about the FBI’s handling of the allegations against Nassar, I wrote the FBI Director to request a briefing on the Bureau’s involvement in this case.
My committee staff spoke with the FBI yesterday, and we were advised that the FBI’s handling of this investigation has been referred to the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General. Our Committee convened its own hearing on the importance of protecting amateur athletes last year. I also joined Senator Feinstein last year in introducing the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.
This new law requires amateur athletic governing bodies to immediately report suspected sexual abuse to the authorities. Our Judiciary Committee approved this measure and then worked closely with Commerce Chairman Thune on additional changes to the bill, before the President signed the final version in February.
The new law also authorizes the U.S. Center for Safe Sport to respond to instances of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic community. Since its inception, Safesport has fielded over 1,200 misconduct allegations and issued sanctions against 300 individuals. Its website, safesport.org, has a searchable database that enables the public to find out if someone’s been banned from a sport or otherwise disciplined.
Just in the last month, I convened two other Judiciary Committee hearings on the topic of sexual violence. I’ve learned that we still need to do more to educate adults who are in a position to protect children. We also must reduce opportunities for predators to exploit victims. In many or most instances, adult coaches, trainers, and doctors shouldn’t be left alone while working with young athletes.
I’ll conclude by thanking you, Chairman Moran, for your leadership on this subcommittee. In holding several hearings on this issue, you’ve given a voice to sexual abuse victims.
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