Six women are filing a lawsuit against USA Swimming alleging the organization knew of sexual abuse they endured from coaches while they were teenagers and claiming the organization continued to provide these coaches access to children, their attorney said Wednesday. The allegations center on the misconduct of specific coaches and reportedly complicit individuals, but they also suggest USA Swimming permits a culture of child sexual abuse among its staff.

During a virtual news conference, attorney Robert Allard said the six women were subjected to atrocious acts while involved with USA Swimming and have been severely damaged as a result. During his remarks, Allard also denounced USA Swimmings previous efforts to scuttle California legislation to extend the statute of limitations for child abuse crimes in the state . The extension was signed into law last October.

Three of the women filing the lawsuit in Alameda County, California, spoke publicly Wednesday. Each identified herself and each is named in the allegations filed against USA Swimming. They are calling for USA Swimming President Tim Hinchey to investigate claims of sexual misconduct and expel all USA officials who engaged in or permitted child sexual abuse.