French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu. Photo: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
More than 400 French coaches, teachers and other figures are suspected of sexual abuse or helping to cover it up, a new report by the French sports ministry released Friday revealed, AP reports.
Why it matters: Majority of the victims were under 15 years old, and the abuse included sexual assault, harassment or other violence, AP notes.
- More than 100 individuals have been removed from their positions and 60 people have faced criminal proceedings.
- Investigations are still underway in the rest of the cases.
Context: The investigation started in February 2020, after French skating champion Sarah Abitbol said in her autobiography that she had been raped by her coach Gilles Beyer between 1990 and 1992.
- Abitbol's accusation inspired more athletes to come forward with their experiences with inappropriate behavior from coaches
- As a response, the sports ministry, headed by Roxana Maracineanu, created a platform for athletes to report their concerns in addition to months of hearings.