Blog 5: How can we prevent abuse in sports?

My inquiry question: How can the different types of abuse in sports be diminished?

How can we prevent abuse in sports?

Breaking the code of silence

Breaking the code of silence surrounding abuse in sports is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes. (3) By shedding light on these issues, we can promote accountability, protect athletes, and create a culture of trust within sports organizations. (1) Several studies have explored the prevalence and impact of abuse in sports, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. (4) When abuse occurs within sports organizations, a toxic culture of secrecy often prevails, perpetuated by fear, power imbalances, and the desire to preserve reputation. (1) However, by dismantling this code of silence, we create a space for victims to come forward, share their experiences, and seek justice. (1) Bringing abuse to light not only helps individual survivors heal but also sheds light on systemic issues, allowing for the implementation of preventive measures and accountability for perpetrators. (2) By encouraging a culture of transparency and support, we can ensure that sports become safe and nurturing environments where athletes can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. (4) Breaking the code of silence is vital to fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and protection within the sporting world. (3)

Using any available resources

In combating abuse in sports, it is essential to leverage all available sources to gather evidence, raise awareness, and support victims. (7) Various resources play a vital role in understanding and addressing this issue, ranging from legal frameworks and investigative journalism to athlete testimonies and research studies. (5) The importance of utilizing all available resources to assist athletes in denouncing their abusers and supporting them in coping with the trauma cannot be overstated. (5) Athletes who have experienced abuse require a safe and empowering environment to come forward and share their experiences. (8) By offering a comprehensive range of resources, including counselling services, legal support, and advocacy organizations, we can provide the necessary tools for athletes to seek justice and begin their healing journey. (6)These resources not only help survivors find their voice and seek accountability for the harm they have endured, but they also play a vital role in their emotional recovery. (9) By acknowledging and addressing the traumatic impact of abuse, we can ensure athletes receive the support they need to rebuild their lives, regain their sense of self-worth, and foster a culture of safety and respect within the sports community. (10)

Sources:

1. Brackenridge, C. H., & Fasting, K. (2005). Stepping out of the shadows of sexual abuse in sport. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 4(1), 73-94.
2. Parent, S., Fortier, K., & Goulet, C. (2021). The sexual abuse of athletes: A systematic review of different types of abuse, settings, and perpetrator characteristics. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 30(3), 352-378.
3. Mountjoy, M., Brackenridge, C., Arrington, M., Blauwet, C., Carska-Sheppard, A., & Fasting, K. (2016). International Olympic Committee consensus statement: harassment and abuse (non-accidental violence) in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(17), 1019-1029.
4. Toftegaard Nielsen, R., & Støckel, J. T. (2021). Systematic review of sexual abuse in elite athletes: Associations with body appearance, eating and injury. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 31(2), 261-275.
5. Vertommen, T., Schipper-van Veldhoven, N., & Wouters, K. (2018). Experiences of abuse in sport: Development of a new scale. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(2), 202-212.
6. United Nations. (2016). Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 12 December 2016: Sport as an enabler of sustainable development (A/RES/71/128).
7. Play by the Rules. (n.d.). Preventing and addressing child abuse in sport. Retrieved from https://www.playbytherules.net.au/got-an-issue/child-protection
8. Amnesty International. (2020). Breaking the silence: How the world should protect athletes from abuse. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/IOR41/2717/2020/en/
9. BBC Sport. (2022, June 15). Athlete A: Abuse in USA Gymnastics. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/61720477
10. International Centre for Sport Security. (n.d.). Tackling abuse and harassment in sport. Retrieved from https://theicss.org/tackling-abuse-harassment-sport/