It’s time to root out abuse in sports

This article was written by Doreen Massey, Baroness Massey of Darwen, member of the House of Lords for the Labour Party and member of the Parliamentary Delegation to the Council of Europe.

At a recent conference in Georgia, I heard the firsthand story of a woman who had been sexually abused by her coach as a teenage swimmer.

She spoke movingly of the impact on her life — loss of confidence and self-esteem and the sense of betrayal. She described how the coach had promised her Olympic fame and other success if she would do as he asked.

She feared his approaches — the turning handle on the changing room door, followed by a sense of disgust. She told no-one, including her parents, feeling that she would not be believed. She felt ashamed at feeling powerless.

"Abuse of young people in sport is a scourge which must be named and rooted out"

Sport is a physical activity where bodies are on display. It is also where coaches are particularly powerful. The combination of these two factors may increase the likelihood of a climate where abuse occurs.

I have met others — usually women and girls but not exclusively — who have suffered similar experiences. Sport is considered a healthy, wholesome activity, and so it is, generally. It can help in the development not only of sporting skills and the enjoyment of performance and teamwork. It can enhance self-respect and a sense of pride.

But abuse of young people in sport is a scourge which must be named and rooted out.

Statistics on this form of abuse are scarce but it is generally considered to be underreported as is the case with sexual abuse in general.  In a recent survey by the Daily Telegraph, almost a third of British elite sportswomen said that they had suffered sexual harassment and 49% said they had suffered bullying. Not knowing the size of the problem is clearly no reason for inaction.

A ten-point plan to end abuse

The renowned Paralympian, Tanni Grey-Thompson, has carried out a report on the “Duty of Care” in sport. She emphasises that athletes no matter their gender have the human right to be protected and free from harm, bullying, harassment and discrimination.  culture must be fostered in sport and this means appropriate behaviour. Regulation is urgently needed and sanctions applied.

The Lanzarote Convention, supported by the Council of Europe,  is specifically focused on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

At the 15th Council of Europe of Ministers for Sport in 2018 it was recognised that the sport movement enjoys an important degree of autonomy but must respect and protect human rights and apply appropriate remedies when breached.

To translate those statements into action, we developed a ten-point action plan as part of the Council of Europe’s Start to Talk Campaign.

This included:

• Developing and improving existing laws, ensuring that international and national recommendations influence local action;
• Developing codes of conduct, including the prohibition of sexual activity between coaches and those they coach;
• Support for comprehensive sex education in schools;
• Raising public awareness; involving survivors of sexual abuse in the promotion of children’s rights;
• Aligning policy and practice with research;
• Supporting international cooperation in the fight against sexual abuse in sport.

Of these, perhaps raising public awareness is the most powerful. If society were aware of the scale of sexual abuse in sport, and concerned about the damage it causes, then pressure, through outrage, could be applied nationally and locally to counteract this horrendous practice.

Grassroots can get to the root of the problem

In addition to the Council of Europe’s work in this area, there are many laudable initiatives that will leave a positive impact.

A global Centre for Sport and  Human Rights, based in Geneva, has been recently created. It will ask groups involved in sport, including trade unions to share knowledge, build capacity and strengthen accountability.

Sporting organisations in football, swimming, gymnastics and others have developed, and are still developing codes of conduct in sport, and this is admirable. But the protection of children and young people is multilayered. International organisations and conventions such as the UN Human Rights Council, the Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Child abuse in all contexts requires action and public outrage"

It is important for individual Governments to pass and support laws to prevent and punish the sexual exploitation of children, and many are doing so. Local authorities are also supporting the clampdown on abuse. But at club and school level, the grassroots, that the most direct intervention can take place.

Children can be enabled to speak out about violations of their rights in many contexts.

Thankfully, child participation in organisations is growing. This gives them a voice and organisations can learn from children’s experiences. Such participation must apply to sporting bodies.

Child abuse in all contexts requires action and public outrage. Only then will children and young people have the support they need to speak out and be heard. — Doreen Massey

(Picture credit: Unsplash)