Addressing Harassment and Abuse in Sport – Part I: What is Harassment and Abuse?

 

Introduction:

 

Athletes should be provided with a safe and healthy environment to train and perform. This includes an environment which is free from harassment, discrimination, and mental and/or physical abuse. Although Government organizations have implemented a number of mechanisms to address harassment in sport, this can often be a difficult issue for Athletes to navigate. This is part one (1) of a five (5) post series. The purpose of these posts is to educate Athletes on recognizing harassment and abuse in sport, as well as to outline their rights and remedies available.

 

Warning: This post contains information about psychological, physical, and sexual harassment and abuse which may be triggering for some readers. 

 

What is Harassment and Abuse?

 

The International Olympic Committee has created five (5) main definitions of harassment and abuse: psychological, physical, neglect, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse.

 

1. Psychological harassment and abuse: A pattern of deliberate, prolonged, repeated non-contact behaviours within a power differentiated relationship.[1] This form of harassment and abuse is often considered the gateway to physical abuse, and it is at the core of other forms of harassment and abuse. Examples: demeaning comments; acts of humiliation; threatening acts of aggression without physical contact (i.e. throwing equipment against a wall); intention denial of attention and/or support; chronic expulsion from training or competition; not providing adequate recovery time or treatment for an injury.[2]

 

2. Physical abuse: Non-accidental trauma or physical injury which may inflicted both on and off the playing field.[3] Examples: punching, beating, kicking, biting, shoving striking, shaking, throwing, choking, burning, or slapping; hitting an athlete with sporting equipment; requiring an athlete to remain motionless in a seated or plank position for a period beyond reasonable training demands; forcing an athlete to kneel on a harmful surface; isolating an athlete in a confined space; denying access to needed water, food or sleep; forced physical exertion beyond the physical capabilities of the athlete (i.e. forcing an athlete to train until they vomit or loses consciousness).[4]

 

3. Neglect: The failure of parents, care givers or coaches to meet a child’s physical and emotional needs or failure to protect a child from exposure to danger.[5] Examples: not providing adequate counselling for an athlete exhibiting signs of psychological distress; disregard for the nutritional well-being of the athlete; inadequate supervision of an athlete; failure to ensure the safety of athletic equipment; disregarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs; disregard for educational requirements and well-being; not recognizing the social needs of the athlete; failure to intervene when made aware of manipulative behaviour.[6]

 

4. Sexual Harassment: Any unwanted and unwelcome conduct of sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, or physical.[7] Examples: unwanted or coerced sexual relations; unwanted or inappropriate sexual propositions; vulgar or lewd sexual comments; forcing an athlete to wear unnecessary sexually revealing uniforms; exchange of sexual favours for reward.[8]

 

5. Sexual Abuse: Any conduct of a sexual nature, whether non-contact, contact or penetrative, where consent is coerced/manipulative or is not or cannot be given.[9] Examples: sexual relations with an athlete; inappropriate sexual contact (i.e. groping of an athlete’s breast or buttocks); exchange of reward in sport for sexual favours; sexually oriented comments, jokes, or gestures; sexual propositions; exposing an athlete to pornographic material.[10]

 

Conclusion:

 

This post was part one (1) of five (5) on addressing harassment and abuse in sport. Upcoming posts include:

 

Part II: What Mechanisms Can Be Used to Perpetuate Harassment and Abuse?

 

Part III: What is the Impact of Harassment and Abuse and How to Recognize It.

 

Part IV: What are your Rights as an Athlete and What to do if you Know or Suspect a Case of Harassment and Abuse?

 

Part V: How to Prevent Harassment and Abuse in Sport?

 

If you or someone you know is seeking support for a Safe Sport issue, please contact the Canadian Sport Helpline. Please note, that this is not a crisis line, and for urgent matters you should contact 911 or Crisis Services Canada.

 

This bilingual and free Helpline is offered in partnership by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport (CCMHS). It is an anonymous, confidential, independent service which allows contactors to share and validate their concerns, obtain guidance on next steps, and get other referrals to other helpful resources.

 

The Helpline is comprised of a team of practitioners who have expertise in the fields of counselling, psychology and sport.

 

The Helpline operates from 8 am to 8 pm (EST), seven days a week by telephone, text, live chat or email.

 

E-mail: info@abuse-free-sport.ca

 

Call or Text: 1-888-83SPORT (1-888-7678)

 

Website: https://abuse-free-sport.ca

 

 

By: Brittany Bates

Program Manager, Sport Solution 

 

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[1] Mountjoy M et al. (2016). International Olympic Committee consensus statement: harassment and abuse (non-accidental violence) in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine (50) 1019 – 1029.

[2] Stirling A, Bridges E, Cruz E, Mountjoy M. (2011). Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine Position Paper: Abuse, Harassment, and Bullying in Sport. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine (21) 385 – 391.

[3] Supra note 1.

[4] Supra note 2.

[5] Supra note 1.

[6] Supra note 2.

[7] Supra note 1.

[8] Supra note 2.

[9] Supra note 1.

[10] Supra note 2.