Gender-based violence remains a significant issue in Australian sport, affecting a broad spectrum of individuals including athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers. A recent study highlights that between a quarter and three-quarters of women in sport report experiencing some form of psychological, physical, or sexual violence during their careers. In response to these findings, researchers have developed a new resource aimed at assisting sporting organisations in addressing these serious concerns effectively.
Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Sport
Gender-based violence encompasses a range of harmful behaviours, including sexist jokes, humiliation, coercive coaching practices, and sexual harassment. These actions, often normalised within the sporting environment, can lead to severe consequences such as diminished participation, health issues, and erosion of trust in sporting institutions.
The research team conducted an in-depth analysis of how incidents of gender-based violence are currently managed in the sporting sector. This involved reviewing existing policies and interviewing women and gender-diverse individuals who had disclosed experiences of violence in sport. Insights from individuals working in national and state sport integrity roles were also gathered.
Findings indicated that existing policies are primarily legalistic and inaccessible, often failing to consider gender-specific needs. Many participants expressed uncertainty regarding whom to approach for assistance, the processes involved, and whether their concerns would be taken seriously. One individual noted, “The sport never followed any of their own written processes around safety and supporting us. They made promises and then actively went against them.”
The research highlighted a need for significant improvements in how integrity managers and safeguarding officials respond to disclosures. Participants indicated that they felt more engaged when listened to and believed. However, many chose to leave the sport when they felt dismissed or blamed.
Identifying Systemic Gaps
Current frameworks like the National Integrity Framework administered by Sport Integrity Australia attempt to address breaches of integrity. Yet, they exhibit substantial gaps, particularly concerning gender-based violence against adults. While policies exist for the safeguarding of children, there is no equivalent for adults, leaving many cases outside the scope of these protections.
Sport Integrity Australia can only act on incidents reported after a sport has signed onto its national framework, which limits its effectiveness. Consequently, responsibility often falls back to individual sporting organisations, many of which are under-resourced and ill-equipped to handle such sensitive matters. This situation frequently results in inadequate or inconsistent responses, exacerbating the risk of ongoing harm for women and gender-diverse individuals.
The research indicates that disclosures often fail not due to a lack of care but because systems are not designed with victim-survivors in mind. Policies tend to prioritise organisational protection over the well-being of those affected. Existing reporting pathways mimic legal processes rather than adopting trauma-informed approaches, leaving power imbalances unaddressed.
A Practical Toolkit for Improvement
In light of these findings, the research team has created an evidence-based toolkit aimed at enhancing responses to reports of gender-based violence across all levels of sport. This guide translates best practices from health and trauma sectors into an accessible format for sporting organisations.
It outlines five core principles for effective responses: making reporting easy, establishing clear and fair policies, supporting choice and autonomy, responding with care and respect, and committing to ongoing improvement. The toolkit includes practical resources such as response scripts, organisational readiness checklists, and a clear roadmap detailing a proper response from initial disclosure to follow-up and review.
The development of this resource represents a significant step towards addressing gender-based violence in Australian sport. It provides organisations with the tools necessary to create safer environments for all participants, ultimately fostering a culture of respect and support.
Kirsty Forsdike, Aurélie Pankowiak, Mary Woessner, and Natalie Galea contributed to this research, with funding from the Australian Research Council, the IOC Olympic Studies Centre, and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Their collective effort aims to bring meaningful change to the sporting landscape in Australia, ensuring that all individuals can participate in sport free from violence and harassment.
