The two victims of the Brubaker couple climbed up

Banned for life by Gymnastics Canada, former director of the national artistic gymnastics team, David Brubaker, and his wife Elizabeth, who themselves sidelined until 2024, according to a press release published Tuesday morning by the two gymnasts which has long been protected by the Canadian federation.

Abby Pearson Spadafora is one of 5 of 11 gymnasts grouped under the Bluewater Survivors name [en référence au nom du Club qu’elles ont fréquenté à Sarnia, en Ontario, entre 1996 et 2017, NDLR].

The young women took legal action against the Brubaker couple, who ran this club. Only Spadafora signed the press release of the day using his name. The other athlete remains known under that aliasAthlete B.

Spadafora and his anonymous colleague explained how, beginning on January 15, 2019 and for 1180 days since then, Gymnastics Canada has worked to silence the complainants.

Don’t say or post anything about what you’re going through. Do not say or post anything about the abuse you have experienced, because if you do, it will be used against you in court.they said, explaining that for fear of ruining their purpose they remained silent.

We went on with our daily lives suffering in silence at the thought that we were going to undergo a infernal process.they added.

In the press release, they claimed that instead of protecting the victims, Gymnastics Canada would have repeatedly subjected them to a process where they would have to continue to narrate, internally activate and verify the details of the abuses suffered. in front of panels made up of strangers.

” We acted like “great little soldiers” because we were trained for that. But that time is over. Now, we are looking for our voices. These good little soldiers became brave women with voices to be heard. “

The press release reiterated the unconditional support of hundreds of gymnasts for the strategy presented by Gymnastics4Change Canada and the Global Athlete organization behind the open letter dated March 28 and sent to Gymnastics Canada, Sports Canada and the Federal Minister of Sport , Pascale St- Onge.

Let us recall that more than 450 gymnasts and coaches, present and past, have put their signatures under this letter, denouncing the abusive and toxic culture in the area at Gymnastics Canada, and where the establishment is being requested. of an independent structure to meet. and handle complaints.

This new plea by Abby Pearson Spadafora and her colleague follows Wednesday’s filing of a class action petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Not again

Beyond the fact that he and 10 other members of Bluewater Survivors got their torturer’s life ban, it was to get a real change of management at Gymnastics Canada and the assurance that today’s young gymnasts are no need to suffer the same. abuse that Spadafora continues to fight.

Gymnastics Canada has become extremely abusive at our expense by protecting our abusers rather than their victims. I not only suggest that all victims join the movement, but I advise that everyone get their own lawyer. For me, I don’t want to experience it againhe told Radio-Canada Sports.

Those who have suffered verbal, psychological, physical and sexual assaults since the age of 7 want to change that.

I was exposed to harassment and sexual sarcasm from an early age. The sexual abuse began shortly after. I practiced gymnastics until the age of 19, when I benefited from a scholarship from the University of Arizonasaid the 38-year-old woman, now married and mother of a 12-year-old woman and a 7-year-old man.

The abuse continued even after I finished. I tried to be a coach thinking I could protect little girls. But again, the abuse and sexual harassment continued. I quit the sport for a while, before finally giving up because of an injury I sustained while in college in the NCAA.

The operation did not allow him to regain all his abilities. Spadafora admits that he also suffered from eating disorders in addition to having suicidal thoughts.

After paying tribute to his parents (his father is now deceased) for their relentless support that allowed him to go through many hardships, he reiterated what motivated him not to let go of the piece to cause of major changes in his sport.

” People need to understand that the establishment of an independent complaints management body should see the light of day. We know that there are coaches who are still abusive and protected today. The system of handling complaints must change. Children cannot undergo the process as it currently stands. I support every survivor, and I want them to know that they are not alone. “

While he supports the idea 100%, Spadafora has not yet decided whether he will be part of the class action if it is to be considered acceptable by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

He remains hopeful that the gymnasts ’requests will get a positive response.

Like each of the 450 signatories, I will not give up. If we give up, children will continue to be abused. And I don’t want to see even one of the ones I’ve been throughhe concludes.