The Dark Side of the Field: Exploring the Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Sports.

The spectacular, unifying joy of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics has enveloped the globe in its stupor this month. We have been moved by the resilience and determination of athletes. We have been inspired by heartwarming stories of endurance and marvelled at the sheer abilities of the human body. 

Yet this week we are brought crashing back down to earth with another news story of sexual abuse in elite sport. A former elite Australian swimming coach has been convicted over dozens of cases of sexual assaults on athletes as young as 10 years old.

Sports are often celebrated as spaces of empowerment, discipline, and camaraderie, where athletes push their limits and achieve greatness. However, beneath the surface of these ideals lies a disturbing reality: the widespread prevalence of sexual abuse. It has become commonplace to see stories in the media of coaches and other members of authority within the coaching staff using their power and influence over young athletes to groom and abuse them.

This surely shows us that this issue is not confined to isolated incidents but is part of a larger, systemic problem that requires urgent attention. From a feminist perspective, understanding why sexual abuse is so pervasive in sports involves examining the power dynamics, cultural norms, and institutional failures that allow such abuse to persist.

Power and Control: The Dynamics Between Coaches and Players

At the heart of sexual abuse in sports lies an unequal power dynamic between coaches or support staff and players. Coaches wield significant authority over their athletes, controlling not only their training regimens but also their access to opportunities, scholarships, and careers. This imbalance of power creates an environment where predatory coaches can exploit their positions for personal gain, including sexual exploitation.

This dynamic mirrors broader societal structures, where power dynamics often muddy the waters of consent and make it easier for abuse to occur. In sports, the coach’s authority, the athlete’s desire to succeed, and often a sense of loyalty or dependency create a perfect storm for abuse.

The Culture of Silence and Compliance

Sports culture often promotes values like toughness, resilience, and obedience to authority. Athletes are conditioned to endure physical and emotional challenges without complaint, to follow their coach’s instructions without question, and to prioritize the team’s success over their well-being. This culture can make it incredibly difficult for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out.

We fully recognise how patriarchal structures silence survivors and reinforce compliance, making it hard for them to report abuse without fear of retribution, disbelief, or further victimisation. In sports, this culture of silence is further compounded by the intense pressure on athletes to maintain their reputations, secure their positions, and avoid jeopardizing their careers. The result is a system that not only enables abuse but also actively discourages survivors from coming forward.

Athletes of any age and gender can be affected by these issues. There are evident vulnerabilities and silencing tendencies when it comes to boys and young men. For instance, the significant number of boys in football academies highlights their reliance on those in power for a potentially life-changing career. Moreover, men and boys are notably less likely to disclose their experiences of sexual violence and abuse compared to women.

Institutional Failures and Lack of Accountability

Another critical factor in the prevalence of sexual abuse in sports is the failure of institutions to protect athletes and hold abusers accountable. Too often, sports organizations prioritise their reputations, financial interests, and the success of their programs over the safety and well-being of athletes. This can lead to cover-ups, inadequate investigations, and a lack of consequences for perpetrators.

In the world of sports, the focus on winning and preserving the current state of affairs can sometimes detract from the importance of having thorough policies, transparent reporting systems, and a culture of accountability. When organizations fail to take action, they are sending a clear message: protecting abusers is more important than ensuring the safety and dignity of survivors.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

Addressing the prevalence of sexual abuse in sports requires a multifaceted approach that challenges the power structures, cultural norms, and institutional failures that allow such abuse to persist. From an intersectional feminist perspective, this means advocating for systemic change, empowering survivors, and fostering a sports culture prioritising respect, equality, and safety.

Key steps include:

• Empowering Athletes: Ensuring that athletes are educated about their rights and have access to safe, confidential reporting mechanisms.
• Challenging Power Dynamics: Promoting gender diversity in coaching and leadership positions and establishing clear boundaries and accountability for those in power.
• Institutional Reform: Implementing and enforcing strict policies against sexual abuse, with transparent investigations and serious consequences for abusers.
• Changing the Culture: Cultivating a sports culture that values athletes as whole individuals, not just for their physical abilities, and that encourages open dialogue, mutual respect, and a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
• Accountability: Holding perpetrators to account with governing bodies and sporting organisations prioritising the welfare of athletes over reputation and profits. We think enabling abuse isn’t a very good look either!

The fight against sexual abuse in sports is far from over, but by addressing the issue through a feminist lens, we can begin to dismantle the structures that enable abuse and create a safer, more equitable environment for all athletes.