AAU Failing to Implement Promised Reforms in Child Abuse Prevention

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) vowed to implement critical reforms after a child sex abuse scandal in 2011 but failed to follow through. Despite its promises, the AAU has not made abuse prevention training mandatory and continues to employ banned coaches.

The AAU’s Challenges and Broken Promises

The AAU, with over 760,000 athletes and coaches nationwide, holds significant influence in youth sports. Hosting numerous events, including volleyball and basketball championships, it provides a platform for elite young athletes. However, an investigation by ProPublica and The Washington Post reveals serious shortcomings in its safety measures.

The AAU pledged to create a culture prioritizing child protection. Still, it has not enacted most reforms promised after the 2011 scandal involving alleged misconduct by its CEO. The organization claims to offer abuse prevention training but fails to verify coaches’ participation.

Coaches Still Working Despite Misconduct

ProPublica and The Post identified eight coaches who continued working with children despite bans or suspensions from other sports organizations. This directly contradicts the AAU’s commitment to ban coaches with histories of misconduct.

Serious allegations against coaches often go uninvestigated or are mishandled by the AAU’s Board of Review. This board, composed of elected AAU members, lacks formal guidelines and training, leading to questionable decisions from personal judgment.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

The AAU’s failure to adopt transparency contrasts with other youth organizations that publicly disclose abuse findings. Rather than public accountability, the AAU relies on secrecy, steering lawsuits into confidential arbitrations. This approach has allowed the AAU to avoid scrutiny in abuse cases.

Despite stipulations in the Safe Sport Act, the AAU sidesteps SafeSport rulings and policies. Its operational independence allows coaches banned elsewhere to continue coaching under AAU’s banner.

Consequences for Young Athletes

ProPublica and The Post’s report highlights numerous institutional failures within the AAU, emphasizing risk exposure for young athletes. While other governing bodies adhere to SafeSport regulations and bans, the AAU remains an outlier.

Parents and advocates voice concerns over the AAU’s prioritization of expansion over children’s safety. Many believe the organization deflects child protection responsibilities compared to their commitment to revenue growth.

“What AAU does is protect institution over children. They have never done the right thing when it comes to child protection.” — Lauren Book, former Florida State Senator

The Road to Reform

The AAU’s current President, Jo Mirza, and other leadership have faced criticism but have enacted some change by revoking memberships of those involved in misconduct. The organization faces mounting pressure to align its practices with those of SafeSport and improve its safety protocols.

The future of youth sports and the AAU’s role in it depends heavily on its ability to implement comprehensive safety measures, enforce stipulated bans, and enhance accountability in reporting and addressing allegations.