MO - Coach accused of child sex crimes

February 06, 2013

Coach accused of child sex crimes
In unusual twist, he’s not identified
The accusers don’t remember his name
Man taught swimming lessons at the YMCA
Lawsuit alleges he abused two boys for a year
Victims support group begs others to come forward
“YMCA must reach out to other victims, witnesses & whistleblowers” SNAP says

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, victims of sex abuse will disclose and discuss a new lawsuit against the YMCA and a local swim coach. The suit charges:

--the coach sexually abused two boys during swim lessons,

--the abuse took place weekly for more than a year, and

--YMCA officials knew or should have known the risk the coach posed and did little to stop him.

The victims will also will also:

-- urge YMCA officials to actively seek out anyone who may have been hurt, and

-- beg anyone who has seen, suspected, or suffered crimes at the YMCA to come forward to law enforcement.

When:

Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 1:15 p.m.

Where:

Outside the YMCA headquarters, 1528 Locust St. (at 16th) in downtown St. Louis

Who:

Three members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org).

Why:

This week, two men filed a child sex abuse lawsuit against the St. Louis YMCA and a local swim coach, whom they charge molested them weekly for more than a year.

The coach, whose name neither victim recalls, worked at the Mid-Town branch of the St. Louis YMCA in the late-1980s, when both boys were around 11 or 12. The boys took semi-private lessons at which the coach had full, unfettered access to both kids.

During that time, the lawsuit charges, the coach showed the boys pornography before and after their lessons and spoke graphically about sex. From there, he began to sexually abuse them, taking advantage of his position as a "big brother" figure.

Member of SNAP want the YMCA to reach out to other potential victims and urge them to contact law enforcement. They are calling on the organization to aggressively seek out others who may have encountered the coach.

These are the first known cases against the coach and the Mid-Town YMCA. SNAP, however, fears there may be more victims suffering in shame and silence.

The victims in this case are represented by attorney Ken Chackes (880 4465 office, 369 3902 cell). Jon N. Reed is the Y’s Board Chair. The case is filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

Spread the Word!
Sign in if you'd like new recruits to be credited to you.

Donate Report Abuse to your AG

Winter Appeal 2023

To our friends,

2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’

At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.

To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.

Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.

Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.

Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!

Warmly,

Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.

Interim Executive Director

Share Your Story Get Help Now Locations

Join our mailing list!

Protect the vulnerable. Heal the wounded. Prevent the abuse.

Survivor

Supporter

Country