AAOS Now features a bylined article by Karen M. Sutton, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, on the responsibility that orthopedists have to fight assault on athletes.

She writes that Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, and Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary sports medicine physician at HSS, co-founded the first ever Women’s Sports Medicine Center in 1997 in order to care for female athletes who were often overlooked or not taken seriously.

Dr. Hannafin explains that orthopedists need to speak up on the topic of sexual abuse in sports.

“It is important for physicians, particularly team physicians, to be aware of this and to help educate athletes, protect athletes, and be a safe space for athletes to go,” says Dr. Hannafin. “Because some physicians have abused that trust, it’s all the more important for us to publicly state that this is really important and that we want to be involved in this and feel strongly that the rights of the athletes are important.”

Dr. Sutton writes that physicians must speak out against abuse, be proactive in preventing it in their practices and ensure that athletes feel safe, comfortable and supported.

Read more at AAOS.org.