I'm not sorry for drawing attention to an accused abuser...

Remember when we all worked together tweeting to get Bob Garner, a man placed on the USA Gymnastics Permanently Eligible list due to accusations of him raping a 15 year old girl in the late 80s and early 90s, banned from the AAU? This was the guy who was a contact person for the AAU Tennessee state meet.

Well, as of right now, I have received 10 emails from Jennifer Sawyer, the individual who was set to run the meet along with Mr. Garner. Ms. Sawyer is frustrated with me due to the fact her meet was no longer sanctioned by AAU after my post was brought to your attention. She claims that he did not commit these crimes... Maybe he didn't. But, I'm not sorry that I posted about it.

Here are the 5 reasons that I refuse to apologize:

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1. He's on the USAG ineligible list. 
Yes, USAG is USAG, but with fewer than 100 people on the ineligible list, I have to believe that USAG would just arbitrarily stick someone on the list.

2. I've read the case notes. 
I've read the case notes, and although Mr. Garners conviction was overturned, it was overturned on the basis of an unlawfully obtained tape by the survivor's mother. Mr. Garner's lawyer argues about her "consent", something that's not obtainable by 15 year old in the state of TN.

3. Statistics aren't on his side. 
I work for a domestic violence/sexual assault crisis center for a living. I'll admit that it gives me a bias. But on average, studies say that less that 6% of abuse allegations are false. Additionally, very few sexual assault/abuse cases even make it trial. While it's quite possible that Mr. Garner falls into both of those very small categories, how likely is it? Honestly? 

4. Parents should be informed. 
I don't know if Mr. Garner committed this crime. Admittedly, I've never met him. But what I do know is that if I were a parent, I personally wouldn't want someone even accused of a crime of sexual abuse around my daughter, certainly not in a tight leotard without having an extensive amount of experience/trust with that person. I certainly wouldn't want that man spotting my child. It's not Ms. Sawyer's decision to make if he's safe. Parents should be able to make an informed decision after doing their own research.

5. He's STILL fucking coaching. 
If you google the names of some of the other people on the USAG permanently ineligible list some of them are leading successful lives. They're sales people, business owners, but they sure as hell aren't working with girls in leotards. Ms. Sawyer has informed me that Mr. Garner is still coaching in her gym, although he's been deemed ineligible by both USAG and AAU. What kind of message does that send to abusers?

Like I said before, I don't know if he committed these acts. There are likely only 2 people in the world who really truly do. BUT, people should be informed of the allegations.