USA Swimming Sued By Alleged Sexual Abuse Victim

SAN JOSE, California, August 11. ACCORDING to the Associated Press, USA Swimming has been listed as a defendant in another suit alleging sexual abuse.

Jancy Thompson, now 28 and who has elected to speak out publicly, alleges that Norman Havercroft abused her when she was a teenager beginning at the age of 15 and spanning into her early adulthood. The claims also extend to abuse occurring with the West Valley Swim Club in Saratoga. Havercroft is not currently listed on USA Swimming's "Banned for Life" list.

The allegations in the lawsuit state that USA Swimming knew about the abuse as early as 2002, and that one of Thompson's teammates alleged abuse by Havercroft in 1997. Thompson went on to swim for Arizona State University before retiring from the sport.

This is the latest lawsuit filed against USA Swimming alleging that the organization has not done enough to protect swimmers from sexual predators. Earlier this year, the attorney representing Thompson also sued USA Swimming due to the sexual predation of San Jose's Andrew King that began in the late 1980s. King's sexual abuse is not classified as "alleged" because victims went to authorities, who then took law enforcement action against King. This enforcement led to a conviction of 40 years in prison.

USA Swimming's attempts to provide any additional protections for its swimmers are currently awaiting bureaucratic due process. Any policy proposals made by USA Swimming and its Board of Directors must be approved by the House of Delegates in its meeting in September. In late July, USA Swimming announced the measures it is prepared to take to protect its athletes.

Full text of Associated Press article.

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