Youth Volleyball player from Haryana allegedly raped by coach for two and a half years

A youth player from Haryana, who is also in the minor age group, has alleged charges of rape on her coach. The minor in question has claimed that her coach, Gaurav Deswal, had raped her on multiple occasions in an ordeal which ran over for almost three years. This is not the first such case which has taken place in the field of sports. Cases of sexual assault or misconduct against female sportspersons are becoming a recurring trend. Many such incidents have taken place in India and abroad. One of the most chilling cases of sexual assault to come out in the open this year was of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. The doctor was accused of misconduct and assault by two hundred and fifty young women and one young man. His victims also included well-known gymnasts. Closer to home, several incidents have taken place in the past. Gymnastics coach Manoj Rana and gymnast Chandan Pathak were accused of sexual harassment by a female gymnast, four years ago. Earlier still, Hockey coach Maharaj Krishan Kaushik was charged by several members of the women's hockey team. Another incident of sexual misconduct has come to light after one of his players accused coach Gaurav Deswal. The volleyball player is a minor and has accused the coach of raping her on multiple occasions. The minor filed a written complaint with the police department in which she has disclosed that the accused raped her in Gurgaon, Rohtak, and one additional location. She also alleges that Deswal threatened to kill her if she indeed goes to the police to report his crime. The Police, on the other hand, has filed the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act and is set to arrest the coach soon. In the sports community, such cases of Sexual misconduct and assault keep coming up, indicating the dire state of things. In this case, however, the minor's bravery led to her taking the correct course of action and file a lawsuit against her coach, even after his threats. The police have started their procedures to arrest Gaurav Deswal, after which he will be taken to court under the POSCO act.

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