It is a widely held view that extramural activities supplement a child’s education and development. Sporting activities in particular are known to be immensely beneficial to a child’s physical and mental wellbeing, and self-confidence.
Joining a gymnastics club may be a child’s dream, or indeed a well-intentioned parent’s dream - a forum for fun, competition and a showcase for gymnastic talent.
When the club becomes a vehicle for a coach to access young girls for his own paedophilic activities, a greater betrayal and breach of trust is hard to imagine. Many youngsters are particularly vulnerable, as their abuser can dictate their progression in their chosen sport.
We recently represented two women who had been sexually abused by David Schadek, a highly respected, qualified gymnastics coach in the Colchester area. He operated out of several gym clubs, including his own Dave’s Gymnastics Academy, where he was head coach.
Attempts had been made to stop Schadek, following a brave report by our client, Girl A, in 2012. Girl A was asked to write down what had happened to her at the hands of Dave Schadek and was told her note was sent to British Gymnastics. Police officers then visited her home and interviewed her. Our client explained what had happened, but unfortunately, no further action was taken on the case.
As a consequence of our client’s 2012 disclosure, Schadek was reportedly subject to a disciplinary hearing by British Gymnastics.
Some years later, in 2016, a third party reported concerning behaviour by Schadek at a club disco. Students from the club, including our client Girl B, gradually came forward to the police with disclosures.
Schadek was subsequently charged with ten counts of sexual assault against children, and a prosecution ensued. He denied all charges. On 7 December 2021, at Chelmsford Crown Court, Dave Schadek was convicted of five counts of sexually assaulting girls and one count of perverting the course of justice.
Girls A and B sought financial redress from British Gymnastics, the governing body of Dave’s Gymnastics Academy. They alleged British Gymnastics had been negligent in failing to protect them from a known safeguarding risk.
As a consequence of the abuse, Girl A had suffered an Adjustment Disorder, comprising anxiety, depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms with substance abuse as a means of coping with sexual difficulties.
Girl B had suffered an Adjustment Disorder with prolonged depressive reaction. Girl B also suffered from legacy key psychological symptoms common in victims of child sexual abuse, including disturbance in and uncertainty about self-image, poor self-esteem, distrust of others and profound emotional instability.
Following formal notifications of their claims and service of medical evidence in the form of reports from a psychiatrist, negotiated settlements with British Gymnastics were reached. Both our clients achieved compensation settlements of five figure sums.
In recent years, there have been increasing media reports of sporting leaders, coaches, and volunteers who have abused their position of trust and have been convicted of sexual offences against those in their care.
Pursuing a compensation claim against the perpetrator, their employer, or a regulatory body can be an avenue for justice and an essential safeguarding tool. When brave people like Girls A and B come forward, organisations such as British Gymnastics are compelled to look closer at their safeguarding standards and practices. Such improved practice and vigilance can only be of enormous benefit to future generations of child athletes.
If you have suffered sexual abuse (recent or non-recent) in a sports setting and are wondering what to do about it, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an informal initial chat. We will be pleased to assist. You can also download our e-book, which we hope will be of some assistance to you.