The journey to reporting child protection violations in sport: Stakeholder perspectives

Abstract

Sport is a context within which human and children’s rights should be respected, promoted, and protected. Yet, research and high-profile cases demonstrate that this is not always the case. To understand the existence (or not) of reporting mechanisms for child protection violations in sport, as well as how existing reporting and response systems operate, the authors, with the support of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, conducted research on current abuse disclosure and reporting pathways in sport. The purpose was two-fold: to describe global child protection systems and reporting mechanisms, and to identify major areas of stakeholder concern, in terms of effective case resolution, healing, and children’s experiences along reporting pathways in sport. Two sources of evidence were tapped. First, a rapid evidence assessment consisting of a literature review and an exploratory survey with 112 global stakeholders was conducted. Second, focus group interviews informed by the evidence assessment were held with nine athletes with lived experiences of abuse in youth sport and 13 global human and children’s rights experts primarily working outside of sport. Through this emergent research, a ‘pathway’ or ‘journey’ to incident reporting in sport was developed, summarized as 5 ‘Rs’: Readiness, Recognition, disclosure and Reporting, Response, and Remedy, which are similar but not identical to existing trauma frameworks. Each stage of the reporting journey appears to be influenced by a range of contextual, organizational, relational, and individual factors. All told, the disclosure of child protection violations in sport is a complex and dynamic process where myriad factors interact to influence outcomes, including healing. Key recommendations include: (a) establishing a global Safety Net Environment in sport practice with varying applications from region to region, (b) building bridges with specific partner organizations to enhance child protection and safeguarding work in sport and (c) bringing safeguarding to unregulated sporting environments.

Bias and Conflict of Interest in the Underreporting of Sexual Abuse in Competitive Sports: A Literature Review

“…Recent articles explore technical challenges, such as cumbersome or unclear reporting systems, lack of education about the available reporting systems, and little knowledge among athletes and families about what constitutes sexual abuse. However, the causes of persistent technical inadequacies, when identified, were typically biases and/or COIs (8,9).…”

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 appear to have the primary responsibility for safeguarding athletes ( 36 ). Their organizational leadership is recognized as an essential element having the greatest impact on safe cultures and environments within sport ( 19 , 37 – 39 ). Several authors also suggest that sport managers have a role in promoting and providing accessible evidence-based education programs on IV in sport to individuals involved in sport (e.g., AHP team members, coaches, athletes) ( 17 , 18 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 40 ).…”

“…Second, sport managers should implement reporting mechanisms regarding IV in sport ( 15 , 27 , 29 , 36 , 46 ). Indeed, it is important that all sport actors know why, when, how and where to signal known or suspected cases of IV in sport ( 39 , 42 ). Sport organizations must clearly establish procedures for reporting, managing allegations and responding appropriately to a report of IV ( 13 , 18 , 28 , 30 ).…”

“…Sport organizations must clearly establish procedures for reporting, managing allegations and responding appropriately to a report of IV ( 13 , 18 , 28 , 30 ). Moreover, in order for a reporting mechanism to be effective, sport managers should be aware of the barriers to disclosure and take action to reduce them ( 34 , 39 ).…”

“…Third, sport managers should offer support and appropriate resources to complainants and witnesses of IV in sport ( 13 , 18 , 22 , 39 ). To ensure appropriate support, sport managers must recognize that each experience of IV in sport is unique and that complainants' needs will vary from one person to another.…”