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According to Chicago Sun-Times, a children’s gymnastics coach is facing several sexual abuse charges while working at the Elite Sports Complex located at 6360 Belmont Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60516.
On May 10, 2022, 30-year-old Wyatt Kopka was arrested. Kopka, also known as Shannon D. Kopka, has coached children from the ages of 2 to 17 for over ten years in the Downers Grove area. The coach is facing 11 counts of child pornography possession and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between 13 and 16.
Although the incidents were not reported to have occurred at the Elite Sports Complex, investigators believe the victim may be a student at the gymnastics facility.
Attorney contributor Brian Kent is an experienced sex abuse victims lawyer representing victims in the state of Illinois. Brian has experience helping youth sports sex abuse victims seek justice through civil lawsuits. Recently he offered his thoughts regarding the legal rights of gymnastics sex abuse victims and their families.
"Recently, the gymnastics industry has been embroiled in a sex abuse controversy, especially with high-profile cases such as US Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Many other incidents of abuse have been reported in smaller gymnastics communities around the country. It helps shed light on how predators gravitate toward positions of trust and power, including children's gymnastics coaches."
"Too often, this abuse may have been prevented with a stricter safety plan implemented by the facility. For example, a gymnastics organization might be considered negligent for failing to conduct background checks on all coaching staff or ignoring past reports of inappropriate behavior within the organization. The facility can further reduce the risk of preventable dangers by installing security cameras and having a sufficient number of team members at all times. In cases involving safety negligence, gymnastics sex abuse victims should consult with an experienced attorney to determine if they have grounds for a lawsuit."
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