Further allegations of sexual abuse in gymnastics
Police are investigating reports of sexual abuse connected to a gymnastics centre in Crewe dating back several decades.
Cheshire Police announced on 18 September that it was looking into allegations linked to Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastics, also known as Camm Street Gym. The alleged offences are said to have taken place during the 1980s and 1990s.
According to Cheshire Constabulary a 68-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault of a girl under 14. He has been released on conditional bail while the police investigation continues. Police have made clear that the allegations do not relate to the current team at the gymnastics centre.
As part of the investigation, officers are asking anyone who may have information or concerns relating to the allegations to come forward.
Wider concerns about abuse in gymnastics
Sadly, this is not the first time allegations of abuse within gymnastics have come to light.
There have been longstanding concerns about safeguarding and the treatment of young people within the sport. The 2022 Whyte Review examined allegations of mistreatment within gymnastics and identified serious failings, but its scope did not extend to complaints relating to incidents before August 2008.
This means that the experiences of people whose allegations relate to earlier periods were outside the scope of the Review. The latest allegations in Crewe, which are reported to date back to the 1980s and 1990s, highlight the importance of ensuring that people who experienced abuse many years ago still have the opportunity to come forward and be heard.
There is no time limit on reporting sexual abuse to the police. For some survivors, it can take many years before they feel able to speak about what happened to them.
I have extensive experience representing survivors of abuse, including people who have experienced abuse within gymnastics and other sporting environments. If you have experienced abuse in sport and would like advice about your options, please get in touch.
