A local therapist says an inappropriate relationship between coaches and young athletes can easily go unnoticed.
This comes after prosecutors accused a 30-year-old speed skating coach from Kaukauna with having sex with a teenage girl.
Therapist Jaimie Simon says things like extra interest or attention can be a sign of grooming. She encourages parents to get to know coaches, and follow their gut instinct if something seems wrong.
Simon believes athletes might have a hard time coming forward because of the power dynamic. She says coaches can be in charge of things like playing time or scholarships.
Skating coach Matthew Kitzis is facing two counts of sexually assaulting a child. He’s accused of having sex with the girl starting in 2016 when she was 15.
