Contrary to popular belief, cheerleading is a sport. Cheerleading is a sport dominated by women; some cheerleaders perform during sporting events such as football, and others compete in competitions across the country. In September of 2022, attorneys representing a plethora of victims filed the first of many lawsuits alleging abuse from individual coaches, gyms, and top cheerleading organizations, including varsity. The lawsuits accuse coaches of sending and soliciting nude photos to minors, supplying minors with drugs and alcohol, and forcing victims to engage in sexual acts. At least fifteen victims have filed lawsuits so far, according to reporting by NPR, with hundreds more expected to come forward. Varsity and the U.S. All Star Federation ignored abuse allegations and corruption for years, allowing more young children to be harmed.
Make no mistake, male cheerleaders also face assault, but the majority of victims are young girls. There is nothing inherently wrong with the outfits that young girls wear while they perform and compete, but when there are so many substantiated cases of sexual assault, we must call into question the ethicality of young girls wearing skin-tight leotards or costumes that expose their skin. Minors should not be forced to wear revealing outfits chosen by coaches for the express purpose of pedophilic sexual pleasure. Cheerleaders do not choose their uniforms; how many of these children feel over-exposed or put on display, yet are too afraid to speak up? Abuse in the cheer industry is widespread — this is a national problem. Even pro cheerleaders claim that groping and sexual harassment are part of the job.
In November 2020, Athens Park cheer coach Michael Edmond was charged with the sexual assault of five girls under his care. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office charged him with 7 counts of forcible lewd acts and 1 count of a lewd act on a child under the age of 14. These incidents spanned from June 1, 2020, to September 1, 2020, with victims ranging from 9 to 12 years old.
Cheer organizations are legally obligated to report sexual abuse, yet they overwhelmingly fail to do so. A 2020 USA Today investigation shows that more than 180 individuals who work with youth cheerleaders have criminal records for sexual misconduct involving minors. Yet only 21 of these individuals were banned or suspended.
Cheerleaders, both youth and adults, deserve to feel safe and perform without the threat of sexual violence.
