With another case of abuse in elite sport, why are we still waiting to protect NZ's sportswomen from harm?
Retrieved on:
Thursday, July 6, 2023
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The independent investigation into McColl found “serious misconduct” over a “number of years” with women athletes under his supervision.
Key Points:
- The independent investigation into McColl found “serious misconduct” over a “number of years” with women athletes under his supervision.
- At least 12 New Zealand sports bodies have come under scrutiny in recent times for cultures where sportswomen experienced abuse.
- These include Cycling New Zealand, Rugby New Zealand, Gymnastics New Zealand, Canoe Racing New Zealand, NZ Football and Hockey New Zealand.
High rates of abuse
- One study of 1,665 elite athletes in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium found extremely high rates of reported physical violence (25%), sexual violence (31%) and psychological or emotional violence (72%).
- Sportswomen were found to experience abuse more than men, particularly sexual violence.
- Abuse of that imbalance leads to significant harm and negative health impacts, with women athletes often reluctant to report the abuse.
A global problem
- And it is not only women athletes who experience it, but also women in other roles, such as officials, administrators and volunteers.
- Read more:
Toxic sport cultures are damaging female athletes' health, but we can do betterNone of this is specific to New Zealand.
- Investigations have revealed gender-based violence across a range of sports internationally, where systems consistently fail to protect and support women.
Slow progress
- An EU-led initiative has produced a good practice guide for sports bodies wanting to support athletes affected by sexual violence.
- And earlier this week, UNESCO published a handbook offering practical ways to address violence against women and girls in sport.
- Read more:
The Black Ferns review shows – again – why real change in women’s high performance sport is urgently overdue
Change has to be urgent
- Meaningful change will require education for all those working in sport, athlete-centred policy and practice, and safe reporting pathways.
- Teams and organisations that can show evidence of a positive, safe and healthy culture might be rewarded in future funding cycles, for example.
- Everyone deserves access to a safe sporting environment, and safeguarding women in sport is an urgent issue.
- Kirsty Forsdike receives funding from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions of the State Government of Victoria.