Everything about the Nassar case was staggering. The number of victims affected by the abuse. The number of victim impact statements given at the trial. The number of other people accused of covering up, collaborating, or simply staying silent in the face of Nassar’s crimes. It was unbelievable, and watching the entire saga unfold over the course of several years was unlike any other sexual assault case in history. And because it was so unique, so completely unprecedented, it has led to sweeping national reforms which hope to keep other young athletes from suffering the same tragic abuses in the future.

What is the ‘Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act’?

According to a press release put out by California Congressman Ted W. Lieu, who was one of the legislators behind the bill, “The Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act strengthens legal liability and accountability mechanisms for the U.S. Olympic Committee and national governing bodies when athletes are abused.” Also, the new law aims to “restore a culture of putting athletes first by establishing clear procedures and reporting requirements, imposing responsibilities to protect athletes, and bolstering the Office of the Ombudsman as an independent resource for athletes.”

So how will this law change things for young U.S. athletes?

Lieu’s comment about athlete culture strikes a never, because there is a great deal of truth in it. A culture has developed in the world of professional sports, which makes it acceptable to treat athletes like expendable commodities. As if their only value lies in their ability to perform, and do it well, but not in their intrinsic value as human beings. Coaches, in order to “get the best out of their potential stars” have been allowed to push young kids past the point of reasonable expectation, using debasement, verbal abuse, threats, and even physical violence as tactics to encourage their performance. This law plans to change that.

Reports of abuse usually increase in the wake of scandal!

But while increased accountability and oversight can be really good things to come out of such tragic circumstances, sometimes this kind of scandal can lead to other things as well. And not all of them turn out quite as well. For example, increased awareness of sexual assault usually leads to increased reporting (which is a good thing, in an of itself). But with increased reports of abuse comes more wrongful accusations, misunderstandings and mistakes, and even total fabrications. And that’s where it gets bad.

Don’t fight false allegations alone – get help from the best!

Our skilled child abuse and neglect defense attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Midnight? No problem. Weekends? We’re here. Holidays? Yup, we’re available. We know that life happens at all hours of the day and night, and we’re here to help. So if you’ve been falsely accused of sexually assaulting or molesting a child in some way, call us immediately at 866 766 5245. We’re available to help you sort out this difficult situation, keep you from being wrongfully accused, and work to keep the police and CPS from breaking up your family.