Just another example of the adage, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The big mistake is creating institutions where adults have absolute authority over children. This can be coaches in sports, teachers in boarding schools, religious leaders in religious institutions, etc.

When these are looked at with awe and respect and assumed by parents to be above reproach and only have their kids' best interests at heart, and have no effective oversight, some will unfortunately abuse their power, and people in authority will scramble to circle the wagons and deny to protect the institution's reputation.