Summary

A video designed to raise awareness and enable people involved in sport to take action to prevent different forms of sexual harassment and abuse in organised sports.

Type of intervention

Film

Target groups, level of prevention and subgroups

• Situations/Places | Sport and leisure | Film | English
• Additional Resource | Film | English

 

Target population

International athletes, sports coaches and sports federations and associations around the world.

Delivery organisation

The International Olympics Committee (IOC).

Mode and context of delivery

The IOC agreed a consensus statement on the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse in sport in 2007. As part of their commitment to prevent sexual harassment and abuse a video has been produced which can be watched by individuals online at the website www.olympic.org or used in workshops or training. It is designed to raise awareness of the problem of sexual abuse, homophobia, gender hatred, sexual harassment and hazing in sport and to provide guidance on how to act on concerns. It is designed for an international audience and uses male and female actors of diverse ethnicities and from different sports.

Level/nature of staff expertise required

The video is self-explanatory and can be viewed by anyone. It can also be used as part of a workshop or training programme by someone with an understanding of sexual harassment and abuse and an appreciation of sport.

Intensity/extent of engagement with target group(s)

The video has a number of short sessions lasting from three to five minutes each and the viewer can select which of these are most relevant or of interest to them to watch. Overall the video includes material for around one hours viewing. It can also be used selectively as part of a training course.

Description of intervention

The IOC has agreed and published a Consensus Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport (2007). This unique document defines the problems, identifies the risk factors and provides guidelines for prevention and resolution. The aim of the Consensus is to improve the health and protection of athletes through the promotion of effective preventive policy as well as to increase the awareness of these problems among the people in the entourage of the athletes.

Research indicates that sexual harassment and abuse happen in all sports and at all levels, with a greater prevalence in elite sport. Members of the athlete’s entourage who are in positions of power and authority appear to be the primary perpetrators. Research also demonstrates that sexual harassment and abuse in sport seriously and negatively impact athletes’ physical and psychological health. They can damage performance and lead to athlete drop-out.

Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport is a video designed to raise awareness of different forms of these behaviours, to challenge associated myths, to improve recognition of the signs and to provide guidance on what action to take in response. It is divided into two sections by audience: athetes and coaches; and federations and associations.

There is a general introduction to the subject and then a series of case examples are given by different characters from different sports. Case examples cover homophobia, gender harassment, bystanding, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, hazing and transgender harassment. Case examples last between three and five minutes each and can be selected by the viewer to suit their particular interest. The video is designed for an international audience and uses male and female actors of diverse ethnicities.

The case examples are supported by additional information on:

• What is sexual harrassment and abuse?
• Reading the signs
• Breaking the myths
• What can do you?

 

The video is available on the Olympic website www.olympic.org for anyone to watch free of charge. It can also be used in workshops or training and provides powerful material for discussion.

Evaluations

No evaluative data currently available.

References

Consensus Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport. International Olympic Committee. Lausanne, Switzerland. 2007. See website www.olympic.org.

Contact details

IOC Communications Department
Telephone: +41 216216000
Email: pressoffice@olympic.org

https://www.olympic.org/athlete365/library/safe-sport/

INFORMATION CORRECT AT 2007

RATING: Pioneering