Sexual violence in organized sport in Germany

Child Protection in Voluntary Sports Clubs in Germany — Factors Fostering Engagement in the Prevention of Sexual Violence

“…The online survey recruited 1529 elite athletes over 16 years of age from 128 different sports. The results revealed that 37.6 per cent of the athletes (48.1% of females, 24.3% of males) had experienced at least one form of sexual violence in organised sport (Ohlert and others, ). Differentiating the forms according to severity and considering only the most severe experience, the study concluded that 15.9 per cent of all athletes experienced mild sexual violence (e.g.…”

“…The term ‘sexual violence’ is usually used as an umbrella term that includes a continuum of different behaviours, ranging from sexual harassment without body contact, to transgressive behaviours, to sexual violence with body contact. The common characteristics of these different forms are that the behaviours are based on sexuality and the abuse of power and have intimidating or even traumatising effects on victims (Brackenridge, ; Ohlert and others, ). Due to differences in definitions and operationalisations, reported prevalence rates for sexual violence vary greatly from study to study (Fasting, ).…”

“…In a recent large‐scale study, Ohlert and others () assessed prevalence rates in a comprehensive sample of elite athletes in Germany. The online survey recruited 1529 elite athletes over 16 years of age from 128 different sports.…”

“…Previous research has found that the presence of women in board positions in sport clubs has a positive impact on perceptions of organisational problems (Wicker and others, ). Furthermore, the fact that women are more often affected by sexual violence than men (Leahy and others, ; Ohlert and others, ) evokes the question whether female leadership in VSCs leads to greater awareness of the topic of sexual violence.…”

“…In the context of preventing sexual violence, it is especially important to have a long‐term plan for the recruitment of volunteers. Since research has shown that incidents of sexual violence tend to occur in relation to club coaches and functionaries (who are often volunteers in the German club system; Ohlert and others, ), it can be argued that having a strategy for whom to choose for voluntary positions might be a determinant of VSCs’ activation towards child protection.…”