‘Safe Sport Is Not for Everyone’: Equity-Deserving Athletes’ Perspectives of, Experiences and Recommendations for Safe Sport

Abstract

There is a growing concern that the voices of athletes, and in particular, athletes from equity-deserving groups, are unaccounted for in the development and advancement of Safe Sport initiatives. The lack of consideration of the needs and experiences of diverse groups is concerning, given the existing literature outside the context of sport indicating that equity-deserving individuals experience more violence. As such, the following study sought to understand how equity-deserving athletes interpret and experience Safe Sport. Grounded within an interpretive phenomenological analysis, semi-structured interviews were used to understand how athletes with marginalised identities conceptualise and experience Safe Sport. Seven participants, including two Black male athletes, two White, gay male athletes, one Middle Eastern female athlete, one White, female athlete with a physical disability and one White, non-binary, queer, athlete with a physical disability, were asked to conceptualise and describe their experiences of Safe Sport. The findings revealed these athletes perceived Safe Sport as an unrealistic and unattainable ideal that cannot fully be experienced by those from equity-deserving groups. This interpretation was reinforced by reported experiences of discriminatory comments, discriminatory behaviours and systemic barriers, perpetrated by coaches, teammates, and resulting from structural aspects of sport. The findings draw on the human rights literature to suggest integrating principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to safeguarding equity-deserving athletes.

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

“…The safe sport literature was used to help inform data collection and analysis procedures. As an example, core concepts of the basic/introductory courses, including whether all forms of harm were addressed, factors impacting harm (e.g., power structures), grooming processes, and information on how to address maltreatment (e.g., reporting) were compared to the ex-tant literature on recommendations by researchers and athletes in maltreatment education (Brackenridge and Rhind 2014;Gurgis et al 2022;Kerr et al 2014;Willson et al 2022). Collectively, relevant content pertaining to these categories were organised into main themes and summary tables (e.g., Tables A1-A3).…”

“…Only two studies have explored prevalence rates of neglect with findings ranging between 36% (Parent and Vaillancourt-Morel 2021) and 76% (Willson et al 2021). Further, athletes from equity-deserving groups, including girls and women, 2SLGBTQI+, racialised and indigenous athletes, and athletes with a disability, are at an increased risk of harm in the sport context (e.g., Gurgis et al 2022;Vertommen et al 2016;Willson et al 2021; US Center for SafeSport 2021). To reflect the expanded research focus, this body of scholarship and corresponding public advocacy has shifted from a 'child protection' approach (i.e., reactive) to the provision of 'safeguarding' or 'safe sport' (e.g., proactive, safe, and caring environment, values-based, athlete-centred; (Lang and Hartill 2014).…”

Critical Child Protection Studies

“…Participants expressed how a change in attitude has been noted, for example "by working with the children directly on the Safeguards, we have noticed a significant diminution of physical and especially verbal aggression" (Sports Coordinator). One compelling story from a Sport Development Officer noted that "children [who] participate in sport have become more tant literature on recommendations by researchers and athletes in maltreatment education Gurgis et al 2022;Kerr et al 2014;Willson et al 2022). Collectively, relevant content pertaining to these categories were organised into main themes and summary tables (e.g., Tables A1-A3).…”

Safeguarding strategies in athletes with intellectual disabilities: A narrative review

“…Studies across equity-deserving athlete groups including different races, sexual orientations, and disabilities highlight different safeguarding needs, further highlighting the need for targeted study among athletes with intellectual disabilities. 15,16 Numerous factors may increase risk of interpersonal violence in athletes with disabilities. These include negative public attitudes toward disability and steep power imbalances, where athletes may rely heavily on support persons during sporting and daily activities.…”

“…This is important because the nature, frequency, and impact of interpersonal violence may differ in athletes with and without disabilities. Studies across equity‐deserving athlete groups including different races, sexual orientations, and disabilities highlight different safeguarding needs, further highlighting the need for targeted study among athletes with intellectual disabilities 15,16 …”