Gymnasts for Change says it’s supporting various new complainants who’ve alleged abuse on the former Olga gymnastics membership in Poole when it was once run via Brian and Monica Phelps, and has appealed for any more folks wanting its lend a hand to return ahead.
The marketing campaign community says a bunch of other folks have contacted it with recent allegations, within the wake of the claims from one former gymnast of sexual and emotional abuse on the gymnasium from the mid-Nineteen Seventies printed within the Guardian and via the BBC in February, however described the ideas made public as “the tip of the iceberg”.
Emma Webb (now not her actual identify) had alleged within the Guardian that she suffered bodily and emotional abuse on the Phelps-run gymnasium, which started in a while after she began number one college and went on till she was once elderly 12 on the gymnastics and trampolining membership. The Phelpses vehemently denied the entire allegations of sexual abuse Webb made towards Brian Phelps and likewise denied the accusations of emotional abuse she made towards Monica Phelps. The recent claims additionally allege sexual abuse towards Brian Phelps and emotional abuse towards Monica. In a remark the Phelpses stated they wouldn’t remark at the new allegations.
“Gymnasts for Change has been supporting Emma and other gymnasts who claim to have suffered abuse at the Olga club for the past year, along with others who have come forward since the publication and broadcast of the Guardian and BBC Sport pieces regarding Brian Phelps,” a spokesperson stated. “The information in the public domain is only the tip of the iceberg, and Gymnasts for Change are here as a safe space for anyone who wishes to come forward to share their stories and connect with our survivor-led network.
Webb said: “The only light in this horror story is that we have now found each other. The support that comes with that is life changing. It is a story that is not over.
British Gymnastics, which recently said it remains committed to resolving the individual legal claims brought against it by up to 40 gymnasts after safeguarding failures despite frustrations among complainants that only one case has been settled in two years, has echoed the call of Gymnasts for Change. “We continue to encourage anyone who has suffered abuse, including historic abuse such as this, to come forward and speak to relevant authorities,” it stated in a remark. “Complaints of a serious and criminal nature should be raised with the police, and we have been liaising with them to help facilitate this for any survivors who have been in touch with us. Above anything else, the safety and wellbeing of gymnasts and everyone involved in the sport remains our absolute priority.”
Dorset police stated it “urges anyone who has been the subject of non-recent sexual abuse to please report it to Dorset police. We are committed to supporting victims and holding those responsible to account. Please contact Dorset police via 101 and ask to be put in contact with a specially trained police officer. Alternatively, you can contact The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Center on 0800 970 9954.”