A Critical Examination of Child Protection Initiatives  in Sport Contexts

Kerr, Gretchen; Stirling, Ashley; MacPherson, Ellen

doi:10.3390/socsci3040742

Cited by 27 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The participants in the current study highlighted education on power dynamics as a specific area of importance to advance safe sport. These notions are particularly relevant when considering that power differentials may place athletes in vulnerable situations where they are subjected to harmful experiences and the lack of attention currently given to power imbalances in safe sport education programs (Kerr et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Listening to Athletes' Voices: National Team Athletes' Perspectives on Advancing Safe Sport in Canada

Willson

Kerr

Battaglia

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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With increased media scrutiny, public awareness, and research on the prevalence of maltreatment experiences in sport, sport organizations have faced increased pressures to combat unsafe practices in sport. A consequence has been the emergence of the Safe Sport movement whereby organizations including the International Olympic Committee, Safe Sport International, US Center for SafeSport, Sport Canada, and others, have developed policies, initiatives, and education intended to create safer sport environments for all participants. Most of these policies have been implemented using a top-down approach, driven by government officials and sport leaders. However, if safe sport initiatives are to benefit athletes, consideration and incorporation of athletes' perspectives in the development and implementation of initiatives are imperative. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine athletes' perspectives on the challenges and recommendations to advancing safe sport. As part of a large-scale survey of current and retired Canadian National Team Athletes' experiences of maltreatment, open-ended questions were asked about athletes' recommendations and considerations for safe sport. Responses to these questions (n = 386) were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the participants, barriers and challenges to safe sport included emphasizing performance excellence at-all-costs, normalization and complicity of harm, lack of attention to equity, diversity and inclusion, a culture of fear and silence, and a lack of trust in organizations to handle cases of harm. In an effort to advance safe sport, participants recommended prioritizing holistic athlete development, improving and strengthening accountability measures, implementing an independent 3rd party for disclosure, reporting and support, increased attention to equity, diversity and inclusion, stakeholder education, prohibition of sexual relations between athletes and those in positions of power and authority, and adoption of a broader perspective of harms and perpetrators. Findings are interpreted and critiqued in light of previous literature and recommendations for future research and practice are suggested.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Listening to Athletes' Voices: National Team Athletes' Perspectives on Advancing Safe Sport in Canada

Willson

Kerr

Battaglia

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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“…Young people often turn to the Internet for information (Kerr et al, 2014 ); SF websites may thus be an important source for educating, displaying, and normalizing the conversation about sexual abuse, as well as for sharing directions, resources, and support. For example, website content can contain information that is directly addressed to children and young people, which may help to empower and protect them against sexual abuse (Eliasson, 2017 ; Hartill et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The risks and harm of sexual abuse are affected by the inclination to disclose abuse and the kind of help and support that is offered—and reaches—those in need of it (Parent, 2011 ). Unfortunately, the literature reveals a history of ignorance and silence of sexual abuse in sport and governing agencies in sport rarely acknowledge or address sexual abuse (e.g., Parent and Hlimi, 2013 ; Brackenridge and Rhind, 2014 ; Kerr et al, 2014 ; Lang and Hartill, 2014 ; Mountjoy et al, 2016 ). Studies as well as sexual abuse cases reported in the media indicate that safeguarding measures in sports often fall short in protecting athletes (Parent and Demers, 2011 ; Mountjoy et al, 2016 ; Johansson and Lundqvist, 2017 ; Bjørnseth and Szabo, 2018 ; Kerr et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Johansson

2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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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.

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“…In another effort to stimulate change, several organisations were created with the primary goal of raising awareness and/or enhancing education related to maltreatment in sport, including Canada's Respect in Sport and Speak Out, Australia's Play by the Rules, and the United States' Safe4Athletes, among others. Following these developments, Kerr et al (2014) examined seven international child protection in sport initiatives designed to enhance awareness of maltreatment and provide access to educational resources; they assessed the extent to which the initiatives were grounded in existing research and empirically evaluated in reference to their stated goals (i.e., awareness-raising and developing knowledge). The development of these initiatives was regarded as a positive step forward; however, the findings suggested that the initiatives were neither congruent with existing literature nor empirically evaluated.…”

Section: Introduction 1the Emergence Of the Safe Sport Movement In Re...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Publicly Accessible Child Protection in Sport Education and Reporting Initiatives

et al. 2022

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Despite sport being a vehicle through which youth may achieve positive developmental outcomes, maltreatment in the youth sport context remains a significant concern. With increased athlete advocacy and research demonstrating the high prevalence of maltreatment in sport, and the urgent need to address it, many international organisations have created child protection in sport initiatives. Of particular focus to athletes and researchers is the provision of evidence-based comprehensive education and independent reporting mechanisms for athletes who experience harm. The current study examined the extent to which the publicly accessible information provided by three sport-specific child protection organisations regarding education and reporting is aligned with recommendations provided by researchers and athletes. With regard to education, the findings highlight accessibility, programming for various stakeholders, and coverage of topics of interest (e.g., forms of harm and reporting processes). However, educational information about equity, diversity, and inclusion and information on how to foster positive environments in sport was lacking. For reporting mechanisms, results showed that each organisation’s approach to receiving reports of maltreatment varied, including their ability to directly intake, investigate, and sanction instances of maltreatment. The findings are interpreted and critiqued considering previous literature and recommendations for future research and practice are suggested.

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A Critical Examination of Child Protection Initiatives in Sport Contexts

Cited by 27 publications

References 23 publications

Listening to Athletes' Voices: National Team Athletes' Perspectives on Advancing Safe Sport in Canada

Listening to Athletes' Voices: National Team Athletes' Perspectives on Advancing Safe Sport in Canada

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

Evaluation of Publicly Accessible Child Protection in Sport Education and Reporting Initiatives

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