By SCOTT MERZBACH
Daily Hampshire Gazette Writer
HOLYOKE — Allegations of sexual abuse by a former swimming coach at the Greater Holyoke YMCA publicized in a magazine article prompted the organization to issue a notice to its members yesterday about how it is upholding its responsibility to children and their families.
“Under the circumstances, we feel it is appropriate to affirm our commitment to keeping kids safe,” Greater Holyoke YMCA CEO Kathy Viens wrote in a memo, responding to what she terms “disturbing allegations.”
The article in the December issue of Outside details alleged abuse by a former head coach against a Westfield girl that began in 2008 when she was 13.
Viens wrote that the YMCA was notified about the allegations against the coach in December 2011, immediately placed him on leave and filed a report with the state, before terminating his employment in July 2012.
The Holyoke Police Department learned of the allegations in December 2011 but concluded they did not have enough evidence to bring charges, according to Outside.
The Outside piece states that the girl’s family is considering filing lawsuits against USA Swimming, the national body that oversees swimming organizations, as well as the local and national chapters of the YMCA, if an out-of-court settlement can’t be reached.
The Gazette reached out Sunday night to Hampshire County families with ties to the Holyoke YMCA program, but they declined comment.
The Greater Holyoke YMCA, Viens wrote, uses best practices to ensure all members stay safe and are protected from illegal activity. These include criminal background and reference checks on all staff before they are hired and criminal background checks on all volunteers before they can volunteer; requiring staff and volunteers to be trained in recognizing and preventing abuse, and preventing staff and volunteers from being alone with children when they can’t be observed by others; and advising staff, volunteers and parents to report any allegation or suspicion of abuse to law enforcement.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at [email protected]
