*Content warning: Mention of sexual abuse and abuser name.* Lansing, Michigan (September 12, 2024) – Following Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s decision yesterday to release over 6,000 university documents related…
Survivor-led Groups Call for Disqualification of Athlete Sex Offender From Paris 2024 Content Warning/Advisory: This statement mentions sexual assault, rape, and the abuser’s name. (Nyon, Switzerland – 5 July, 2024)…
TRAUMA WARNING: DOJ Settles with Nassar Survivors, Concluding Final Legal Case Over FBI Misconduct In a culmination of a two-year-long lawsuit, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) finalized an agreement…
MICHIGAN (April 1, 2024) – As the nation observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April, The Army of Survivors (TAOS) is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a safer…
Report Showcases Legislative Triumphs, Groundbreaking Trauma-Informed Initiatives, and International Reach. MICHIGAN (March 25, 2024) – The Army of Survivors (TAOS), a leading global organization dedicated to preventing abuse in sports…
Washington, D.C. (March 21, 2024) Yesterday, Grace French, President and Founder of The Army of Survivors (TAOS), stood before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data…
MARCH 20, 2024 Thank you to Chairman Hickenlooper, Ranking Member Blackburn, and the other Subcommittee Members for inviting me to speak today to offer my perspective on safety in sports…
Grace French The Army of Survivors (TAOS) Founder and President Statement on the final report of the Commission on the State of US Olympics and Paralympics March 5, 2024 We…
Content warning: Mention of sexual abuse and abuser name. Lansing, Michigan (December 15, 2023) – Following today’s announcement of the Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees unanimous decision to…
MICHIGAN (September 12, 2023) - In response to the disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct against Mel Tucker, the head football coach at Michigan State University (MSU), The Army of Survivors…
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Disclaimer: While many of our volunteers are sister survivors of Michigan State University, USAG, and USOC, this organization and entity is limited in the ability to accommodate all narratives of each Sister Survivor. Our statements and actions may not always represent the views of all of the Sisters Survivors.
Using a long-term method of creating a personal relationship with the athlete to reinforce power and control, and alienate the athlete from their support systems. Grooming often occurs on a continuum beginning with boundary crossing and then escalating to additional acts of sexual abuse.
Coaches, guardians, and people of influence often instill fear in athletes using threats such as reducing playing time or being removed from the team, to secure compliance and/or silence. Promised rewards of additional resources and time may be used to manipulate athletes into compliance and/or silence.
Gaining trust is often achieved by “unburdening” or doing “favors” for the parents/guardians such as providing transportation to a family that is struggling with scheduling or providing equipment to a child whose family cannot afford it. These actions often occur in a way that seem helpful and generous, but coaches, guardians, and people of influence may exploit a child and/or family’s vulnerability to gain their trust and place them in the position of a parental figure.
Coaches, guardians, and people of influence maintain control over interactions and use isolation tactics to make athletes feel alone by restricting access to other athletes, coaches, trainers, facilities, and their family.
Using pressure or manipulation to force sexual contact. For example, using shame, threats, ultimatums, or withholding access to their sport or playing time as punishment for not engaging in sexual contact.
Coaches, guardians, and people of influence* making light of abuse disclosed by athletes or whistleblowers and shifting the blame onto them. For example, gaslighting them into believing it did not happen or that the abuse was really an acceptable act within athletic training.