Olympic gymnast and Needham native Aly Raisman issued a call to action in a Boston Globe op-ed on Monday for more “proactive action” and education when it comes to preventing child sexual abuse.

“Abuse impacts more people than we may ever know,” she wrote. “Whether or not someone you know has come forward or you can relate yourself, I believe we should all care and do our part to help children. Education needs to change — in gymnastics, in youth sports, and in all activities and communities where adults interact with children.”

Raisman said she is “still hurting” from the abuse she suffered herself as a young athlete, and said that in particular the messaging of “Stranger Danger” needs to be expanded. Earlier this year, the Olympian partnered with Darkness to Light, an advocacy group focused on adult training for prevention of child sexual abuse, and helped create the #FlipTheSwitch campaign, which encouraged individuals and organizations to participate in prevention training.


“Ninety percent of abused children suffer at the hands of someone they know and trust,” the gold medalist wrote. “I know firsthand, this can be difficult to comprehend. Perpetrators know this and count on our silence. Child sexual abuse isn’t a kid problem, it’s an adult problem.”

Read Raisman’s full piece at the Globe.