Thuringia Sports Federation calls for cultural change after child sexual abuse scandal

The Thuringia State Sports Federation (LSB) is demanding a fundamental cultural change within organized sports in response to a decade-old scandal involving a gymnastics coach who sexually abused young athletes at the HSV Weimar club. Nadin Czogalla, the LSB's Managing Director for Sports Development, stressed the necessity of a willingness to confront suspicions of sexual abuse directly.

An independent external commission presented its findings on the HSV Weimar case, emphasizing that a significant amount of the abusive behavior was openly apparent within the club. Despite its visibility, no one intervened or addressed the misconduct. The commission's experts echoed the LSB's call for a different approach to sexualized violence in sports.

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If someone was protected in the club, it was the perpetrator.

Joachim Henseler, a member of the commission, stated that the perpetrator, not the children, was protected. He described the past behavior at HSV Weimar as alarmingly normalized, citing instances where young gymnasts were made to sit on the coach's lap, with the children facing criticism rather than the coach. This created a situation of victim-blaming, or "Schuldumkehr" (reversal of guilt).

The abuse occurred between 2007 and 2015. Following a lengthy legal process, the Erfurt Regional Court convicted the coach for 20 counts of sexual abuse, with the verdict becoming legally binding in 2023. The commission believes the actual number of offenses is higher than what was judicially proven. The case underscores a systemic failure to protect vulnerable young athletes and highlights the urgent need for greater accountability and a more supportive environment within sports organizations.

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There must be the willingness to truly look when there is suspicion of sexual abuse.