Both sexual harassment and sexual abuse are expressions of the greater power of one person over another. In sport we believe that women and girls are more frequent victims of harassment and abuse than men and boys. Typically, abused athletes keep quiet because they fear that they will either be accused of consenting or of inventing the whole thing. Research from allied fields, such as social work, suggests that the vast majority of perpetrators of sexual harassment and abuse are men. Sport-based research on these topics is lacking but recent studies, including those by WomenSport International, indicate that sexual harassment and abuse is just as much a problem in sport as it is elsewhere in society and that many sports organisations do not have adequate mechanisms in place to help protect frightened athletes and to exclude harassers and abusers.
Sexual harassment is unwanted, often persistent, sexual attention.
Sexual abuse often occurs after careful grooming of the athlete until she believes that sexual involvement with her abuser is acceptable, unavoidable or a normal part of her training or everyday behaviour. Particular dangers arise where such athletes become emotionally reliant on or obsessed with their coaches and where their coaches are not subject to independent monitoring. Foster a climate of open discussion about the issues of sexual harassment and abuse so that athletes with problems feel confident enough to speak out. Develop athlete autonomy wherever possible including adopting coaching styles which give optimum autonomy and responsibility to athletes. Become involved in coach education programmes which inform and advise about the ethical and interpersonal issues of sexual harassment and abuse and about the technical aspects of physical touch in coaching the sport.