After allegations of abuse in the German Swimming Association: External team should do the workup

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The ex-diver Jan Hempel has driven the DSV to react with his public approach

Photo: imago sport photo service

The German Swimming Association (DSV) wants to have the serious abuse and cover-up allegations by former water jumper Jan Hempel and other victims processed by an "external and independent" team.

When putting together the team, the association will “orient itself to the requirement profile of the 'Independent Commission for Processing Child Sexual Abuse', which is based in the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth,” the press release said.

"Accordingly, members of the processing team, for example, must not have any professional, financial or private connections to the DSV or those responsible for them.

We expressly welcome the active participation of those affected.«

Competitive sports director Christian Hansmann had already announced during the European Swimming Championships in Rome that all cases of sexualized violence that were listed in the ARD report "Abust" should be processed - as well as the cases reported to the DSV prevention officer Franka Weber .

Hansmann had reported reports of "many injured parties and victims" after Hempel's allegations became known and said: "There are cases every day."

Notes in the “single digits”

Now the DSV wrote about tips and reports “in the single digits”.

According to the association, they relate “for the most part to cases that date back many years and decades”.

The DSV emphasized that it is in close contact with the athletes in Germany, the German Sports Youth (dsj) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) when it comes to processing.

He also asked the 'Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Abuse' for advice and support.

Hempel had publicly reported sexual abuse by a former coach and accused today's national coach Lutz Buschkow of knowing about it.

As a result, the DSV released the coach during the EM.

Sports policy in Berlin had increased the pressure on the association last weekend and questioned the public funding of the DSV.

German swimming has long been the focus of attention due to abuse cases.

In 2021, DER SPIEGEL made allegations against former open water national coach Stefan Lurz public.

The allegations involved sexual assault, psychological manipulation and bullying of swimmers.

In February of this year, Lurz was sentenced to six months in prison on probation for sexual abuse and had to pay a fine.

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