Dear Friends, Fans, and Fellow Members of the Roller Derby Community,
It has come to the attention of the Steel City Derby Demons that a group calling itself “End Sexual Violence in Sports Pittsburgh” has accused our league, via online petition, of retaliating against a former member for reporting allegations of sexual assault by a fellow league member. The petition’s accusations are false, misleading, and defamatory. It is very upsetting to see the reputation of this league we have worked so hard to build be tarnished by unfounded allegations.
The petitioning group has blatantly mischaracterized and misrepresented the reasons the dismissed skater (referred to as “Skater X” for purposes of this statement) was expelled from the SCDD. Skater X was dismissed from the league based on a consistent, willful pattern of disregard for league bylaws and policies. While the league does not condone or allow sexual assault, it cannot take action against another member based on unsubstantiated claims. The league attempted to address the alleged assault by conducting a mediation which both parties, at the time, agreed was a satisfactory resolution of the issue. False allegations of the league’s failure to address the alleged sexual assault were posted to the internet without allowing the SCDD to present the relevant facts surrounding Skater X’s dismissal, which is disturbing and very unfair. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions related to this situation.
The following is a detailed summary of events:
In April of 2009 Skater X became a member of SCDD after successfully completing the requirements of league tryouts. In June 2009 Skater X attended a derby event in Philadelphia, PA, along with several other league members. In February of 2010, Skater X was overheard making disparaging comments about the level of competition at her team practice by several other skaters. Skater A confronted Skater X on a team forum about these comments. Subsequently, Skater X contacted SCDD Human Resources complaining that she was being bullied on the team forum and that Skater A had sexually assaulted her in Philadelphia in June of 2009. Head of HR scheduled mediation between the two parties to address the complaint in March of 2010. Skater X was given the opportunity to address unresolved issues from 2009 and the feelings of being bullied. At the end of the mediation, all parties agreed the issues had been resolved and that Skaters A and X could co-exist and cooperate as teammates and members of the SCDD.
After this event two unrelated disciplinary incidents were reported to HR: one, that Skater X had screamed obscenities in a threatening manner at another skater during practice; and two, that Skater X had disrupted practice by starting a verbal confrontation with another skater which had to be broken up by numerous personnel and caused a complete disruption of practice.
In May of 2010 Skater A came to HR with concerns that Skater X was discussing the alleged sexual assault throughout the league, in violation of the terms of the mediation achieved in March of 2010. Every member of the HR committee suggested to Skater X that she file a police report if she believed she was the victim of sexual assault. Skater X was advised that a roller derby league is not equipped to find a person guilty or innocent of sexual assault. HR cannot pursue disciplinary action against the accused without her first being found guilty in a court of law or admitting to the assault. Without legal proceedings or admission of guilt, HR can only offer mediation between the parties involved to come to a resolution, which had been offered and achieved in March of 2010. Subsequently, Skater X filed a police report with the Philadelphia police. The Philadelphia police investigated her complaint and found no evidence that would support her claims of sexual assault. Her complaint was dismissed by the police.
Based on the aforementioned disciplinary incidents and Skater X’s refusal to discontinue speculation and gossip, the disciplinary committee recommended suspension for one month. Skater X was asked to re-evaluate the way she contributed to the league and was offered the support of the HR Committee to help with any issues that arose.
Skater X returned to the league after suspension without incident, however, one year after her suspension she committed a series of disciplinary violations – lying about pregnancy in order to be excused from a competition, violating the SCDD policy against skating for another league without Board of Directors permission, skating for another league while claiming to be too injured to attend her own league’s practices, and lying about approval from HR to be excused from a mandatory team meeting. Based on the foregoing violations, Disciplinary Committee voted to expel Skater X from the SCDD for a period of one (1) year.
***FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATION REGARDING THIS MATTER, PLEASE EMAIL SCDDPR@GMAIL.COM***
