I just wanted to put some thoughts up here from my perspective -- both as a sports coach myself and the father of a swimmer -- regarding the youth swim coach arrested on charges of possessing child pornography and saying he had had relationships with minors.

1. There's a fine line between talking with your child and spooking him or her, but I suggest starting a conversation with your child about all kinds of adults and situations. Are there times when your child is alone with an adult? If so, does the door stay open or is there a window? (As a coach, I never do one-on-ones in private spaces with an athlete. There's either another coach or another child, or we sit in the bleachers.) [Previously on transPARENT: Talking to children about sexual abuse]

2. If your child plays sports, band or other activities, make sure you don't take them to practice too early or leave them too late. This is actually more courtesy and respect for the coach than anything else, but in almost every case, there really shouldn't be a situation where an adult is left alone for a long time with a child. (Note: In the swim coach case, there has been no claim announced that he was involved with any of his students.)

3. Whenever you sign your child up for an activity, ask what kind of background checks your league runs. And if they don't run any, at least punch your coach's name in the Broward Clerk of Courts or the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts web site.

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