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Child sex abuse inquiry: rising star in ‘extreme distress’ after interview by tennis officials Child sex abuse inquiry: rising star in ‘extreme distress’ after interview by tennis officials Child sex abuse inquiry: rising star in ‘extreme distress’ after interview by tennis officials
(4 months later)
Tennis NSW’s handling of a rising young star’s complaint against a leading coach pushed the young woman out of the game and profoundly damaged her health, an inquiry has been told.Tennis NSW’s handling of a rising young star’s complaint against a leading coach pushed the young woman out of the game and profoundly damaged her health, an inquiry has been told.
The child sex abuse royal commission is examining how the tennis organisation handled complaints against internationally known coach Noel Callaghan in the late 1990s.The child sex abuse royal commission is examining how the tennis organisation handled complaints against internationally known coach Noel Callaghan in the late 1990s.
On Friday the mother of a young woman who was allegedly abused by Callaghan cried as she talked about her daughter’s “extreme distress” after she was interviewed by Tennis NSW officials in September 1999.On Friday the mother of a young woman who was allegedly abused by Callaghan cried as she talked about her daughter’s “extreme distress” after she was interviewed by Tennis NSW officials in September 1999.
The mother, known as BXB, told how her daughter BXJ fell apart after Tennis NSW decided not to take action against Callaghan over her complaints that the head coach had been sexually harassing her for years.The mother, known as BXB, told how her daughter BXJ fell apart after Tennis NSW decided not to take action against Callaghan over her complaints that the head coach had been sexually harassing her for years.
Callaghan, who worked in Australia up to last year, was charged but never convicted of offences against other young female players.Callaghan, who worked in Australia up to last year, was charged but never convicted of offences against other young female players.
BXB said she learned only this week that a lawyer who conducted an internal investigation for Tennis NSW in 1999 reported it was more likely than not “the allegations made by [BXJ] are true”.BXB said she learned only this week that a lawyer who conducted an internal investigation for Tennis NSW in 1999 reported it was more likely than not “the allegations made by [BXJ] are true”.
BXJ had loved tennis from the age of 12 and rose quickly in the ranks. In 1996 she was selected for the NSW junior squad and played in international tournaments.BXJ had loved tennis from the age of 12 and rose quickly in the ranks. In 1996 she was selected for the NSW junior squad and played in international tournaments.
Callaghan, a prominent and popular figure in NSW tennis for decades, was appointed state coach in 1998. He coached BXJ for years.Callaghan, a prominent and popular figure in NSW tennis for decades, was appointed state coach in 1998. He coached BXJ for years.
He had been on the international circuit for 12 years and in Australia coached stars such as Sam Stosur and Jelena Dokic.He had been on the international circuit for 12 years and in Australia coached stars such as Sam Stosur and Jelena Dokic.
BXB said her daughter later revealed he had been asking her sexually explicit questions, touching her breasts and, in turn, praising her and demeaning her in front of teammates.BXB said her daughter later revealed he had been asking her sexually explicit questions, touching her breasts and, in turn, praising her and demeaning her in front of teammates.
In 1997 BXJ attended a tennis camp at the University of Sydney. She alleges Callaghan came into her room there and straddled her on the bed and tried to kiss her.In 1997 BXJ attended a tennis camp at the University of Sydney. She alleges Callaghan came into her room there and straddled her on the bed and tried to kiss her.
It was after this episode she severed all contact with Callaghan and asked for a female coach.It was after this episode she severed all contact with Callaghan and asked for a female coach.
Following a report from that coach to women’s team selectors, Tennis NSW called in BXJ and her parents for a meeting. BXJ was interviewed twice on her own.Following a report from that coach to women’s team selectors, Tennis NSW called in BXJ and her parents for a meeting. BXJ was interviewed twice on her own.
Her parents were outside the interview room and heard their daughter in extreme distress and crying during the second interview. This interview was attended by Tennis NSW executives, BXB said.Her parents were outside the interview room and heard their daughter in extreme distress and crying during the second interview. This interview was attended by Tennis NSW executives, BXB said.
The tennis organisation decided to take no action but advised BXJ she could go to police.The tennis organisation decided to take no action but advised BXJ she could go to police.
“After the investigation by Tennis NSW, my daughter never picked up a tennis racquet again,” BXB said.“After the investigation by Tennis NSW, my daughter never picked up a tennis racquet again,” BXB said.
Her daughter ran away for several weeks after that interview and has no recollection of what happened during that time.Her daughter ran away for several weeks after that interview and has no recollection of what happened during that time.
“The process of the investigation and the types of questions she was asked had a profound effect on her.”“The process of the investigation and the types of questions she was asked had a profound effect on her.”
BXJ did go to police in 2001 after Callaghan was acquitted on charges of indecently assaulting other female players but the case had to be abandoned because she was too ill to give evidence, BXB said.BXJ did go to police in 2001 after Callaghan was acquitted on charges of indecently assaulting other female players but the case had to be abandoned because she was too ill to give evidence, BXB said.
Callaghan, who is coaching overseas, will not give evidence.Callaghan, who is coaching overseas, will not give evidence.