The Disturbing Increase In Cheerleading Sexual Abuse Scandals

You may be surprised to learn competitive cheerleading is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Millions of children and young adults participate at schools and universities in every state. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to this growth. In the last year alone, allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced in competitive cheerleading programs in Florida, New Jersey and California. One of the most prominent involved two members of the Navarro College Cheer Team in Texas, who were featured in the Netflix documentary Cheer .

Sadly, this is just one example of child sexual abuse among many that have emerged in the intense world of competitive cheerleading, paralleling the shocking sexual abuse scandal that shook the gymnastics community surrounding Larry Nassar. Within both sports there is the same disturbing culture of abuse, excuses and cover-ups.

An investigation by USA Today in 2020 showed that 180 individuals involved in competitive cheerleading faced charges related to sexual misconduct with minors. Shockingly, these individuals were not banned from the sport by the governing bodies of cheerleading, namely USA Cheer and the U.S. All Star Federation. Out of the 180 accused, more than 140 had already been convicted. The ramifications of these statistics reveal a troubling lack of accountability and protection within the competitive cheerleading community.

Of course, the perpetrators of this abuse must be punished to the fullest extent of the law, but the institutions that covered up the abuse also need to be held accountable. Just like USA Gymnastics, the governing body, The USA Federation for Sport Cheering allowed the abuse to continue unabated.

“All children deserve to participate in their favorite sport without fear of abuse. When the institutions tasked with doing so fail them, they should pay dearly,” stated attorney J.J. Dominguez of The Dominguez Firm. “Parents, be aware that you can file a lawsuit against the institutions involved via an experienced child sex abuse attorney . Making them pay dearly for their breach of duty sends a clear signal that there is a zero-tolerance policy towards child sexual abuse and cover-ups,” he concluded.

To combat sexual abuse in competitive cheerleading, a comprehensive approach is required. This includes empowering athletes to report incidents without fear of reprisal, implementing thorough background checks and educational programs for coaches, and creating safe environments for athletes to train and compete. Furthermore, it is crucial to offer support and resources to survivors, recognizing the lasting impact of these traumatic experiences. The cheerleading community must work together to foster a culture of safety, respect, and integrity.

The growing number of sexual abuse scandals in competitive cheerleading is a distressing reality that demands immediate action. It is essential to hold accountable those responsible for these heinous acts and ensure the protection of young athletes within the sport. By acknowledging the parallels with the gymnastics scandal and addressing the industry’s structural issues, we can strive for a future where competitive cheerleading becomes a safe and empowering endeavor for all involved. Together, let us stand with survivors, promote transparency, and create lasting change within the competitive cheerleading community.