From Policy to Practice: Measures Against Sexual Abuse by Swedish Sports Federations

Abstract

The sport movement must protect children and young athletes from all forms of abuse. However, research points to a disconnect between policy and implementation of policy against sexual abuse. No studies have investigated measures against sexual abuse in Swedish sport. The purpose of this study was to explore measures against sexual abuse in the 10 largest sports federations (SFs) for child and youth sport in Sweden. The study draws on interviews with representatives (n = 18) of the SFs and on a review of SFs' website content regarding sexual abuse and safe sport. Results show that the SFs have taken few or no measures against sexual abuse. Measures for safe sports vary in existence, development, and organization between the SFs, and many SFs are in the early stages of safe sport measures and practice. Although the SF representatives emphasize that sexual abuse is unacceptable, a conflict between making it visible or invisible emerges and creates a gap between policy and practice. Reproducing a culture of silence around sexual abuse in sports seems advantageously for SFs. Social and organizational factors that can debilitate safe sport measures and facilitate sexual abuse in sport are discussed.

The role, readiness to change and training needs of the Athlete Health and Performance team members to safeguard athletes from interpersonal violence in sport: a mini review

“…Sport managers also need to be better equipped to recognize signs and symptoms of IV in sport ( 32 ). Although training is perceived as one of the most important elements for the prevention of IV in sport, it is also one of the greatest challenges in terms of organizational capacity ( 43 , 44 ). In addition, sport managers recommended having an independent body to monitor, investigate and manage complaints.…”

What Enables Child Sexual Abuse in Sport? A Systematic Review

“…Sporting organizations have indicated that because CSA is not as common as other forms of abuse in sport, it is not worthy of their attention, although they agree it is unacceptable and are aware of the detrimental effects of CSA (Johansson, 2022). Furthermore, these sporting organizations reported a culture of silence around CSA (Johansson, 2022). The tolerance of CSA incidents, a culture of silence, and the failure to implement and regulate CSA policy is disadvantageous to the eradication of CSA in sport.…”

“…and regulation of CSA policy and procedures, has been reported as a reason why preventive programs for CSA in sport may be ineffective (Milroy et al, 2022;Owusu-Sekyere et al, 2022;Roberts et al, 2020). Sporting organizations have indicated that because CSA is not as common as other forms of abuse in sport, it is not worthy of their attention, although they agree it is unacceptable and are aware of the detrimental effects of CSA (Johansson, 2022). Furthermore, these sporting organizations reported a culture of silence around CSA (Johansson, 2022).…”

“…Aside from the perpetrator’s motivations to offend (Finkelhor, 1984), multiple influences are likely to impact and facilitate the prevalence of CSA in sport, including institutional maltreatment (e.g., an employee in an authoritative position working for a sporting institution who abused athletes for a prolonged period of time) (Johansson, 2022; Nite & Nauright, 2020; Owusu-Sekyere et al, 2022; Roberts et al, 2020), silencing of victims (e.g., preventing or discouraging victims from speaking out), patriarchal master narrative (e.g., social and cultural norms inhibiting child victims from speaking out), trauma-related shame (e.g., victims experiencing negative reactions to their disclosure), and systemic power (e.g., fear of retribution) (Sanderson & Weathers, 2019), reporting issues (e.g., negative connotations involved with disclosure) (Everley, 2020; Johnson et al, 2020; Nite & Nauright, 2020; Solstad, 2019), bystander inaction (e.g., failure of bystander to question, challenge, or intervene) (Hartill, 2013), and media focus on the narrative of perpetrator type (e.g., perpetrator type instead of enabling factors) (Hartill, 2013). Furthermore, the tolerance and ignorance toward CSA in sport is concerning.…”