Athletes struggle to recognize subtle signs of coach sexual abuse

A study carried out by GIKAFIT group of the EHU-University of the Basque Country shows that more than 80% of the athletes identify the more explicit behaviors but not other, more normalized, forms of interaction.

Andrea Sáenz analyzed how the athletes perceive certain coach behaviors. The study, based on questionnaires conducted with 292 athletes and interviews with 6 athletes who experienced sexual violence at school age, shows that some behaviors that are normalized and not perceived as abusive can be part of sexual violence. The findings underline the importance of education in recognizing these patterns and ensuring safe sports facilities.

Sexual violence against minors in sport is a reality that goes largely unnoticed, despite available data suggesting that it is not an isolated phenomenon. According to a report by the GIKAFIT research group of the EHU in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 20% of the participants had experienced behaviors of a sexual nature from their coaches: kissing on the lips, showing sexual interest and direct proposals of sexual relations.

Despite these high rates, people are surprised when I tell them I am researching this topic, because they think the abuse of minors does not happen in sport. It's a taboo subject that people try to sweep under the carpet. Through our research we aim to uncover the reality and make it visible, so that it can be prevented."

Andrea Sáenz, GIKAFIT group of the EHU-University of the Basque Country

The findings of her latest study, which analyses the perceptions and experiences of athletes, provide key data in this regard.

"We combined quantitative surveys of 292 athletes and 6 qualitative interviews with people who had experienced sexual violence in sport at school age and found a grey zone. That is, there are many everyday behaviors that the athletes do not perceive as abusive. However, when a survivor of sexual violence reconstructs their experience, they identify these same behaviors as part of the process of abuse", explains Sáenz.

Those who responded to the questionnaire were asked to assess whether 24 specific coach behaviors were related to sexual violence. More than 80% identified the more explicitly sexualized behaviours as sexual violence, such as proposing sexual relations in exchange for privileges, kissing on the lips or staring at an athlete's breasts or buttocks. On the other hand, behaviours such as hugging, asking about leisure time, offering individual attention, or creating opportunities for one-to-one contact were rarely classified as sexual violence.

However, the testimonies showed that those who had experienced sexual violence retrospectively identified some of these less explicit and more normalized behaviours as part of the abuse. "Their narratives confirm that sexual violence does not necessarily start with obvious abuse, but with giving special attention or gifts or having personal conversations that, depending on the child's age, could even be perceived as something positive. In the case of sexual violence, we have seen that this special treatment is part of a pattern", explains Sáenz.

A hug in itself is not a crime

The EHU researcher clarifies that this does not mean that all behaviors within this grey zone are abusive or criminal. What the study shows is that they can be part of a grooming process if they are repeated, personalized, linked to secrecy or embedded in unequal power relations. "Therefore, we need to look at the whole context, rather than a specific situation. We are not trying to analyze whether a hug after winning a game, for example, is good or bad. It might be appropriate if an athlete has played an excellent game but has low self-esteem. What needs to be analyzed is whether this hug is part of exclusive attention or whether there is emotional dependency", explains Sáenz.

Education in recognizing boundaries

The study does not seek to eliminate the closeness inherent in sports activities, nor treat coaches as suspects. It recognizes that sports instruction requires trust and physical contact, but it also emphasizes that these characteristics can make it more difficult for athletes to distinguish between behaviours that are part of the sports relationship and those that cross certain boundaries. Therefore, education is especially important in this case, according to Sáenz:

"Relationships of trust between coaches and athletes are positive and necessary in sport. We do not want to prohibit them, but it is important to provide athletes with the tools for recognizing when certain behaviours might be acquiring an inappropriate meaning. If they know what might happen, they may realize that something similar is happening to them and they can ask for help. Education is key to prevention."

The EHU research team also emphasizes the importance of training sport professionals so that they know the boundaries and can avoid certain situations: "The aim is to promote safe sports environments in which supportive relationships are transparent and subject to safeguards. For example, reducing avoidable situations of isolation, increasing the visibility of one-on-one meetings and strengthening the reporting and support mechanisms."