A federal report released this week revealed another institution turned a blind eye to a predator coach. This time it is the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. The “stunning and dangerous inaction of the administration” after warnings of abuse from almost a decade ago allowed predator swim and dive coach Chad Cradock to continue to victimize. A three-year Justice Department investigation into the coach revealed manipulation and mental abuse of the women and physical abuse of men. The University leaders knew.
The predatory coward, “Mr. UMBC,” offed himself after being put on leave in 2020.
Believe people the first time they come forward. That the abuser is charismatic, or a “family man,” or has a winning team is utterly beside the point. These institutions must be made to pay a heavy price for looking the other way. And let their alumni decide if they want to continue to donate to an alma mater that enables a man like Chad Cradock and does nothing to protect students.
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And also the people ignored the most: Adults who come forward to report sexual abuse when they were young. Whether it is because the statute of limitations has run (much older crimes) or “we can’t do anything,” they deserve to be heard and believed. Sometimes, as in the OCCK case, this information sheds light on other crimes.
What is interesting is that most crime victims are believed. However, not so with sex cases.