The U.S. Center for SafeSport has banned a three-time Olympic Taekwondo medalist and also his brother. For years, the organization received reports of sexual abuse involving minors in his along with his brother’s coaching care.

Sports Sexual Abuse

Youth sports leagues including Little League, Pop Warner, gymnastics AYSI soccer, CYO, and martial arts like taekwondo are important activities for kids. Children dedicate their lives to these sports. Many spend a huge amount of time with coaches and team volunteers.  This including traveling to tournaments, attending training camps and other events. This means many overnight trips where children spend a large amount of alone time with adults.
However, these people in a position of authority and power use the coaching mentality to victimize the children on their teams. When youth sports leagues fail to prevent predators from accessing children, sexual abuse happens.

Taekwondo Sexual Abuse

Steven Lopez is taekwondo’s biggest star and the most decorated athlete. He has won five Olympic medals and five world titles. After he stopped competing, he began coaching. The USA Taekwondo and SafeSpot have been investigating Lopez and his brother after allegations of taekwondo sexual abuse surfaced.
An investigative report said that Lopez would groom his female athletes. He would start touching their private areas when they were younger. As they got older, the sexual abuse would become more sexually explicit. The women also allege that the organizations in charge of the taekwondo are responsible for sex trafficking. They say both companies knew the brothers were sexual predators. However, they let them continue to be around young women at their camps and competitions around the world.
Both Taekwondo organizations have banned both coaches. They filed an appeal. During the appeal process, both brothers can still coach young women.

Get Legal Help

Survivors of sexual abuse can file civil suits against perpetrators and other responsible parties, regardless of the outcome or existence of a criminal prosecution. Civil lawsuits can help a survivor seek monetary damages. This compensation can never change the abuse suffered but can help rebuild a life.
Plus, a civil suit can deter future abuse. This is why it is important if you or a loved one were the victims of sexual abuse to contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We will provide a free consultation and instruct of any avenues available to you for civil litigation.