Lars Jorgensen Suspended By SafeSport Amid Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Lars Jorgensen Suspended By SafeSport Amid Sexual Abuse Lawsuit SwimSwam
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Lars Jorgensen Re-Entered into U.S. Center for SafeSport Disciplinary Database
Lars Jorgensen, a former University of Kentucky coach, has re-entered the U.S. Center for SafeSport Disciplinary Database following a lawsuit filed against him last month.
Temporary Suspension and Allegations of Misconduct
Jorgensen, aged 53, has been temporarily suspended by SafeSport due to allegations of misconduct on April 22. He has also been issued with “no contact directive(s)”.
Registrations
Jorgensen is registered under both USA Swimming and the U.S. Tennis Association.
Lawsuit Against the University of Kentucky
On Friday, April 12, a lawsuit was filed alleging that the University of Kentucky allowed Jorgensen to create a toxic and sexually hostile environment within the swim program. The lawsuit further claims that he sexually harassed and committed sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes who were dependent on him.
Resignation and Settlement
The lawsuit followed Jorgensen’s resignation as head coach of the Wildcats’ swim & dive program last summer amidst an investigation for NCAA compliance violations. He received a $75,000 settlement and forfeited the remaining $402,500 on his contract through the 2024-25 season.
Previous Entry into SafeSport Database
In November, five months after his resignation, Jorgensen was entered into the SafeSport Database with allegations of misconduct and temporary restrictions, including “no unsupervised coaching/training” and “contact/communication limitations”. However, this entry was later removed before being re-added last month.
Denial of Allegations
Jorgensen and his lawyer have denied the allegations, including claims made by two of his former swimmers turned assistant coaches that he groomed and raped them. Jorgensen asserts that the relationships he had with the two coaches, one of whom is Briggs Alexander, were consensual.
This contradicts the claims made by Alexander and the unnamed coach, referred to as Jane Doe, in the lawsuit, who describe Jorgensen as “a serial sexual predator”.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | – Allegations of sexual harassment and assault against young female coaches and collegiate athletes – Lawsuit filed against the former coach for fostering a sexually hostile environment |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | – SafeSport’s temporary suspension of the coach for allegations of misconduct – Lawsuit filed against the University of Kentucky for allowing a toxic environment |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article highlights allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and the fostering of a sexually hostile environment within the swim program. These issues are directly connected to SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article mentions a lawsuit filed against the University of Kentucky for allowing a toxic environment within the swim program. This issue is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
The allegations of sexual harassment and assault against young female coaches and collegiate athletes in the article align with Target 5.2 of SDG 5.
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
The lawsuit filed against the University of Kentucky for allowing a toxic environment within the swim program relates to Target 16.6 of SDG 16.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Allegations of sexual harassment and assault against young female coaches and collegiate athletes can serve as indicators to measure progress towards Target 5.2 of SDG 5.
– The lawsuit filed against the University of Kentucky for allowing a toxic environment can be an indicator to measure progress towards Target 16.6 of SDG 16.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | – Allegations of sexual harassment and assault against young female coaches and collegiate athletes – Lawsuit filed against the former coach for fostering a sexually hostile environment |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | – SafeSport’s temporary suspension of the coach for allegations of misconduct – Lawsuit filed against the University of Kentucky for allowing a toxic environment |
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Fuente: swimswam.com
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