Palmdale High School Coach Marcus Williams
A Palmdale High School varsity girl’s basketball coach is facing child sex abuse charges following his arrest in early January 2016. Coach Marcus Williams was arrested after he was seen in a car with a minor believed to be a basketball player on the Palmdale High School team he coached.
Coach Marcus Williams will be arraigned in Antelope Valley Superior Court at the end of January on charges that include unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. In addition to being the head coach for the Palmdale High School girl’s basketball team, Williams was also a coach of the Standing Ovation Basketball Program, a youth program in the Antelope Valley.
Coaches who sexually abuse their athletes
When it comes to the number of coaches sexually abusing athletes, it is estimated that between 5–15% of underage athletes are sexually abused by their coach. In Australia, a survey found that of 370 elite (national) and club (regional) athletes, about 18% said they were sexually abused by coaches in positions of authority or support staff in a trusting relationship.
Long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse
The San Diego law firm of Estey Bomberger have spent years suing organizations and institutions that fail to protect kids from sexual abuse. Attorney Steve Estey is currently representing young female athletes sexually molested by their coach in a lawsuit against the youth athletic organizations responsible for protecting the athletes.
All of the research indicates that the most common effect of sexual abuse is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms can extend far into adulthood and can include withdrawn behavior, reenactment of the traumatic event, substance abuse, and issues with sexual promiscuity and poor self-esteem in adulthood.
Call the law firm of Estey Bomberger for a free consultation
If your child was sexually abused by Marcus Williams, or if you suspect sexual abuse, call the law firm of Estey Bomberger for a free and confidential consultation. We can help begin the healing process for your loved one and work towards minimizing the long-term consequences of sexual abuse by holding those responsible for the harm caused to your child.