Addressing Harassment and Abuse in Sport – Part II: What Mechanisms Can Be Used to Perpetuate 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 two (2) of a five (5) part 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 Mechanisms Can Be Used Harass and Abuse?

 

In Part I of Addressing Harassment and Abuse in Sport, the International Olympic Committee’s five (5) definitions of harassment and abuse in sport were identified. This post will analyze mechanisms which are used to facilitate harassment and abuse in sport.

 

Contact Mechanisms: Perpetrators of harassment and abuse in sport may use their platform of close physical proximity and/or frequent group interactions to perpetuate their behaviour.[1] For example, this may include rough handling of an athlete in practice. It is important to note that physical touch is not always the form in which harassment and abuse takes place when the Athlete is in close physical contact with their abuser.[2]

 

Non-Contact/Verbal Mechanisms: Perpetrators of harassment and abuse in sport do not necessarily have to be in close physical contact to engage in harassing and abusive behaviours, and may use verbal mechanisms to do so.[3] Athletes often report perpetrators of verbal harassment to be their peers, however, verbal harassment may also be perpetuated by Athlete’s opponents or fans in the form of trash talk or ‘sledging’ in order to hinder performance and destabilize motivation. [4]

 

Cyber Mechanisms: Online activity, as well as the use of smart devices and social media act as another platform for perpetuators of harassment and abuse in sport to facilitate their behaviours.[5] Due to its 24/7 access, this potentially exposes victims to constant unwanted content and attention.[6] While there is limited research on the role cyber harassment has on Athletes, it is important to note that Athletes are increasingly using social media to promote their image and connect with fans, making them subject to online abuse.[7] Cyber harassment and abuse may present itself in the following forms:[8]

 

·       Befriending a minor online to build an emotional connection with the intention of performing sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking in the future. This is known as “cyber grooming.”

·       Sending and/or receiving sexual messages or images. This is known as “sexting.”

·       Using camera phones to take illicit photographs inside sports facilities (especially changing rooms) and use the images for sexual exploitation. This is sometimes referred to as “sextortion.”  

·       Receiving unwanted negative content such as hate messages, exposure to sexual and violent material, and pro-self-harm or pro-eating disorder/body dysmorphia websites.

·       Risking an individual’s reputation from sharing inappropriate content and/or creation of false online profiles and impersonations of an individual.

·       Grooming young people to perpetuate corruption (either online or in the physical world) for match fixing and associated activities, which may breach sports’ integrity rules and/or constitute criminal offences.

·       Theft of personal and identity data, which may constitute a criminal offence.

 

Conclusion:

 

This post was part two (2) of five (5) on addressing harassment and abuse in sport. Past and upcoming posts include:

 

Part I: What Is Harassment and Abuse? (embed link)

 

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] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.