Dawn Harmon posted a video and message on Facebook saying her friend’s child was assaulted by a coach in Mitchell County, North Carolina.
She said the coach was arrested and is waiting for trial, but the community is defending him and blaming the child.
Harmon called this victim-blaming and said the town needs to do better.
Moreover, she also mentioned seeing screenshots and hearing stories that show people are protecting the coach instead of supporting the victim.
Mitchell County Is Divided After a Coach’s Alleged Assault Raised Calls For Justice!
Dawn Harmon further added that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
She said people have messaged her with stories of similar cases being covered up to protect predators.
She believes the Recreation Department failed to do proper background checks, which allowed the coach to be around children.
Furthermore, Harmon made it clear that the coach is responsible for what happened, not the child or her parents.
On the other hand, Dawn has identified Ryan Hoyle as the predator. She is urging everyone to make his name known, so that no other child falls victim to him.
Many people reacted to Harmon’s post. Some agreed and said they want the coach punished and the system held accountable.
While others felt it was unfair to blame the whole county, saying:
Before watching this video, Ive only seen the arrest report. I dont know this guy or anything about him or what he did. But I know he’s been arrested and I know he will have his day in court. To tie the whole county into this is a bit of a stretch as most people are just like me and don’t know any details at all. Thanks for calling me a predator just because I happen to live in the same county.
One person said they didn’t know the coach or the details, but believed justice should be served.
Another parent said they’re not a bad parent and support the victim, but calling all parents in the county careless is not helpful. Further, she wrote:
I’m unsure how calling ALL parents in Mitchell county “bad parents” is helpful in this situation, or any situation to be honest. I’m a parent of a child in Mitchell county who has played “league” sports for years and I assure you I am not a bad parent. I’ve seen the reports, and read the charges. I fully believe the alleged perpetrator should be punished to the full extent of the law. I also believe the Recreation department should be held accountable for not completing criminal record checks and/or making statements that CRC were completed when they were not. However, although this man may have initially gained access to this child through rec. sports, he was given access to this child outside of the rec. sports realm. I’m by no means placing blame on the child or her parents. The blame is his to carry..but I’m not sure why you would publicly announce to the world that we in Mitchell county don’t care about our children or are “offering them to predators on a silver platter” because citizens aren’t storming the gates or rallying the lynch mob is absurd. As horrible as his actions are, he has a child of his own who had no part in his choices, and I feel that she also deserves privacy and the right to heal. Fighting legally is certainly the right thing to do, and I hope the victim and her family get the justice they deserve..but calling all residents of Mitchell county names isn’t helpful… in my opinion.
Some also mentioned the coach has a child who deserves privacy.
Overall, the case has sparked strong opinions and a debate about how the community handles such situations.
Every child deserves to be protected, and the victim should get justice while the perpetrator is punished.
