Democratic Congressman Mike Honda of California’s 17th congressional district has made a statement on sexual abuse in swimming via his official website today.
Honda became involved in the scandal surrounding sexual abuse of swimmers by coaches in swimming, and alleged subsequent cover-ups by multiple organizations, in 2012 when an aide told Irv Muchnik of the site concussioninc.net that Honda was “looking into what formal action our office can take to address this problem, including, but not limited to, Congressional hearings.”
Honda represents western San Jose and Silicon Valley, an area that has been a spark-plug of the firestorm of outrage over coaches who have sexually abused their swimmers, including coaches like Mitch Ivey and Andrew King.
Honda’s statement did not name any specific governing body, but did include a specific reference to Mitch Ivey, who is currently nearing the end of his appeals period over a pending ban from USA Swimming.
Honda says that he “stands by (his) colleague, Congressman George Miller” in Miller’s inquiry to the United States’ Accountability Office to investigate youth athletic clubs’ handling of child abuse accusations.
See Congressman Honda’s full statement below.
Child abuse of any measure is simply wrong. That is why I am appalled by the reports of child sexual abuse of student athletes by their coaches during these students’ participation in public and private swim clubs. I understand the case of the former coach, Mitch Ivey, who taught at the Santa Clara Swim Club, was a two-time Olympic medalist, and who recently received a lifetime coaching ban – is pending an appeal period. Therefore, I would simply add that sexual misconduct has no place anywhere. I support and stand by my colleague, Congressman George Miller – Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee – in his inquiry to the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate youth athletic clubs’ handling of child abuse allegations, specifically regarding the reporting and investigating laws and policies. According to the African proverb, it takes a village to raise to child; and so, it must take a village, or an entire community, to protect that child. As a father and a grandfather, I will continue to fight to protect the sacred innocence of our children everywhere.
