L. MathekaChild abuse in sports a global concern as researchers expose extent of menace in UK
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 27.11.21. | 15:30
While most people recall their experience of sport as children positively, sport is not immune from violence against children and this is timely research to remind sporting organisations that they must have strong safeguarding policies in place to ensure children are protected from violence and abuse, according to the researchers from Edge Hill University who worked on the report.
Concerns continue to grow on the safety of minors in sports as cases pile of underage athletes who have faced violence and abuse at one point in their careers.
World Athletics (WA)has partnered with other stakeholders for a new research, led by Edge Hill University, that has for the first time uncovered the scale of violence against children in sport in the UK and across Europe.
Recently, WA launched a Safeguarding Policy set to guide member associations in coming up with their own policies of protecting their athletes by 2023.
These developments come amid growing calls to Athletics Kenya (AK) to stamp their authority over rogue coaches and agents who exploit upcoming athletes something that has been blamed for increase in gender based violence (GBV) cases among athletes.
The study, called Child Abuse in Sport: European Statistics (CASES), saw data was collected from 10,302 adults in the UK, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Romania and Spain.
The study investigated a wide range of behaviours that can be harmful to athletes from verbal harassment and physical violence through to sexual abuse and neglect.
Some of the key findings show that 44% reported experiencing physical violence inside sport as children. Neglect was experienced by 37% of respondents. 35% reported experiencing non-contact sexual violence. 20% reported contact sexual violence.
The prevalence of interpersonal violence against children is lowest for respondents in recreational sport (68 percent) and highest for those who competed in international sport (84 percent). Children belonging to ethnic minority groups are significantly more likely to experience abuse at 76.9%.
Figures for each form of interpersonal violence were broadly similar across countries, suggesting the problem is not unique to one country.
“Safeguarding is about actions, not just words. Safeguarding is more than just a line in our integrity code of conduct. We need action, individually and collectively. This research will inform the education, tools and guidance we will be creating with and for our Member Federations.
We owe it to our athletes, competing now and in the future, to protect them from abuse, harassment and exploitation," read WA statement upon the receiving the report.
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