PARIS (AP) – A long-standing French nationwide effort to expose and combat sexual violence in sports has identified more than 400 coaches, teachers and others suspected of abuse or cover-up.
Most of the victims were under 15, according to data released by the Ministry of Sports on Friday. The alleged abuse included sexual assault, intimidation or other violence.
Sixty people have been prosecuted, more than 100 have been temporarily or permanently removed from their posts and other cases are under investigation, the ministry said.
The abuse reached across the country and industry, with allegations targeting a total of 48 sports federations.
96% of the accused are male. 83% of the victims were female and 63% were under the age of 15, the ministry said.
The fact-finding investigator was launched in February 2020 after 10-time French speed skating champion Sarah Abitbol said in a book that she had been raped by coach Gilles Beyer from 1990-92, when she was still a teenager. Beyer was charged with preliminary sexual assault charges and the investigation is ongoing.
In the wake of Abitbol’s allegations, more skaters spoke out to denounce coaches’ alleged sexual assaults. The Ministry of Sports set up a special platform for testimonials from athletes and held hearings for a year.
In its statement, the ministry called Abitbol’s testimony “a historic moment for French sport” that has raised awareness and prompted authorities to fight abuse. A new law on stricter screening of sports educators, including volunteer coaches, went into effect Friday, and the French government and sports federations have pledged to respond more quickly and effectively to reports of abuse.