After suspicion of sexual abuse by ex-trainers in Neuried: the protective measures of the clubs

Created: 2022-01-19Updated: 2022-01-19, 5:14 p.m

By: Michael Grözinger

The sports clubs in the Würmtal want to prevent sexual abuse as much as possible.

(symbol photo) © Uwe Anspach / dpa

After the suspicion of sexual abuse by an ex-soccer coach at TSV Neuried, we asked around.

How do clubs in the Würmtal try to prevent something like this?

Würmtal – The news is a shock for sport in Würmtal: A former football coach at TSV Neuried is suspected of having sexually abused young people for years.

Police investigations are ongoing.

The news also causes alarm in other clubs – and raises the question of what a club can do to prevent such incidents or at least nip them in the bud.

The mandatory submission of a certificate of good conduct to the club is now normal for trainers.

In addition, some clubs take measures to prevent sexual abuse as much as possible.

These are the preventive measures of the clubs in the Würmtal

The TV Planegg-Krailling, for example, organized a workshop on the subject last year in which all trainers had to take part.

“These were very intensive discussions.

For example, about what to look out for,” says Stephanie Mehnert, Acting President of TV.

It's a difficult topic that you always have to sensitize coaches to.

Martin Götz, President of the DJK Würmtal

The DJK Würmtal had something similar in mind.

"Corona thwarted our plans," explains President Martin Götz.

"It's a difficult topic that coaches have to be made aware of again and again."

There are also trainer seminars at TSV Gräfelfing, as President Christoph Göbel reports.

The SV Planegg-Krailling also attaches great importance to the fact that its trainers all do official trainer training with sports associations.

"In these courses, prevention is a fairly large block," says President Florian Häringer.

Similar incidents about ten years ago at TSV Gräfelfing and DJK Würmtal

The 44-year-old is sensitive to the topic for several reasons.

On the one hand through his work as a police officer, on the other hand because he was already personally affected by attacks by a coach, as he says: “I know that from my own youth when I played in a syndicate at another club.” Also At that time it was already a sensitive topic, but today there are more opportunities for clubs to get help or advice from the relevant organizations.

Under no circumstances can the association remain silent.

Florian Häringer, President of SV Planegg-Krailling

TSV Gräfelfing took up such an offer around ten years ago.

“Unfortunately, these incidents happen again and again, attacks can be complex.

At that time we had a case in our football department," reports President Göbel.

The association contacted the KIBS counseling center of the Munich child protection organization and criminal proceedings were initiated.

At about the same time, a similar case arose at DJK.

"We released the person immediately and advised those affected to report it," says Götz.

No known incidents at SV Planegg-Krailling and TV Planegg-Krailling

It's one thing that clubs don't turn a blind eye.

If necessary, contacting the police is another step that is important to Häringer for professional reasons alone.

"The club must not be silent under any circumstances," the SVP President clarifies.

In his club there have been no suspected cases of sexual abuse in the past 40 years.

“As far as I can remember.” Of course, incidents can never be ruled out 100 percent.

"These are wily criminals," says Häringer.

The point is to knit the net as tightly as possible.

Christoph Göbel, President of TSV Gräfelfing

Stephanie Mehnert also knows of no case in her club in recent years.

To prevent this from happening in the first place, the TV workshop initiative launched last year is to be further intensified.

Code and mission statement as a preventive measure against sexual abuse

As a result, almost ten years ago, TSV Gräfelfing issued a code in which certain rules of conduct are laid down.

That way no dangerous situations should arise in the first place.

“We're doing well with that, but unfortunately it's all just preventive.

It's about knitting the net as tightly as possible," says Göbel.

Especially when swimming or doing gymnastics with the aids, you can quickly get caught up in something.

Martin Götz, President of the DJK Würmtal

The SVP also instructs his trainers intensively and has them sign a contract including the club's mission statement with the obligation to report suspected cases to the board immediately.

Nevertheless, Häringer makes it clear: "In principle, we have no suspicions about our coaches."

The other side of the coin: Unjustified allegations

Because that's the other side of the coin: unjustified accusations that destroy livelihoods.

Göbel also came across such cases during his 20-year tenure as TSV President.

“You have to be careful with prejudices,” he says.

Götz adds: "Especially when swimming or doing gymnastics with the help, you can quickly get involved." But protecting the children is the top priority for the clubs.