Former Spanish football federation leader Luis Rubiales might face serious repercussions for forcefully kissing Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso. However, this is uncommon for those guilty of gender-based violence in sports. Our research, which reviewed 25 years of studies about women’s experiences with such violence in sports, found that offenders are seldom held accountable. Typically, they continue their misconduct without repercussions. Despite the wide audience that witnessed Rubiales’ actions, Hermoso’s ordeal was downplayed, with powerful organizations pressuring her to say it was consensual, only for a strong collective female voice to declare otherwise. While women’s sports are promoted as empowering, previous research indicates a high prevalence of gender-based violence, with rates ranging from 26 to 75 percent for psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, depending on definitions and measures used. Numerous incidents from the past and present highlight concerns about how abusers were able to persist for extended periods without consequences.
Our study systematically compiled and analyzed accounts from women who faced gender-based violence in sports to gain insights into their experiences and to inform future prevention and response strategies. Participants included athletes, coaches, umpires, and managers, both current and former. The findings show women in sports encounter various forms of violence (sexual, physical, psychological, financial) often by more than one offender, with coaches or other authority figures being the most frequent, followed by male athletes or the general public. A normalization of violent behaviors was identified, as these actions were seen as routine and often excused in pursuit of results.
When women raise their voices and file complaints, our research revealed that organizational responses are often ineffective at best and malicious at worst. Complaints frequently lead to no action, codes of conduct can be non-existent, and confidentiality is weak since “everyone knows everyone.” In some instances, women were ridiculed and told they imagined the abuse, a tactic by organizations prioritizing “success” over women’s safety. Women are thus forced to create their own safety strategies, avoiding perpetrators or leaving the sport altogether. Justice is sometimes only achieved through collective action when women unite to share their experiences and challenge abusers. Notably, our research found that the sporting environment as a form of extended family facilitated what can be termed “sporting family violence.” Athletes often form close bonds with their coaches, other authority figures, and teammates, spending significant time within this family unit. The notion of a coach as a father figure was a recurrent theme, with some athletes stating the coach was more privy to their lives than their parents. Esteemed coaches often went unchallenged, amassing power that they used to isolate and control the women they abused, fostering secrecy and dominance.
Finally, women continue to be seen as inferior to men in sports and treated as outsiders. This results in hostility towards women, especially in non-traditional female sports like judo and boxing, and in management or official capacities. Power dynamics are central to our findings, with women sometimes able to express power through collective defiance, yet power often resides with men and sports organizations that are complicit. Efforts to tackle gender-based violence in sport must acknowledge the diverse forms of violence women encounter and the varied ways power and violence are manifested.
Recent developments indicate some progress. A report on abuse in Australian swimming has led to actionable recommendations. In the UK, laws are being formulated to prevent coaches from having relationships with players. Additionally, several collective survivor advocacy groups, like The Army of Survivors, Sport and Rights Alliance, and Gymnasts for Change, have emerged. However, these actions underscore the necessity of a strong collective voice to drive change.