The vast majority of young people who exercise in a club say they have been victims of psychological transgressive behavior. This is evident from a survey by Thomas More students about negative experiences among youth athletes. Physical or sexual transgressive behavior by trainers or other athletes is also common.
769 Flemish youngsters between 13 and 21 years old completed a questionnaire based on the international “Violence Towards Athletes Questionnaire”. The results are staggering, say the researchers: 82 percent report having already been a victim of psychological transgressive behavior, 55 percent of physical transgressive behavior and 27 percent of sexual transgressive behavior.
“Although some important steps have been taken in recent years, this new study shows that cross-border behavior in youth sport may be even more widespread than we initially thought.”
The prevention of psychologically transgressive behavior, such as humiliating, threatening and overly negative criticism, is particularly striking. Deliberate neglect, exclusion or neglect of young athletes is also often reported. 64 percent of respondents reported such behavior by a trainer, 61 percent by another athlete and 44 percent by a parent in the context of the sport.
41 percent reported physical transgressive behavior by a trainer. For example, a quarter of all participants had an object thrown at their head and a fifth indicated that they had already been obliged by the trainer to continue training with an injury, against doctor’s advice.
Other athlete or trainer with loose hands
20 percent of the respondents already experienced sexual transgressive behavior by another athlete, 15 percent by a trainer. This mainly concerns gross remarks or posing unwanted sexual behavior in the vicinity of the athlete, such as imitating oral sex, staring or whistling. 2.4 percent said they had been touched by a trainer. 2 percent indicate that another athlete has been forced to perform sexual acts.
According to Evy Van Coppenolle, coordinator at the Center for Ethics in Sport, these figures strengthen the ambition to focus even more on measures in the coming years. “Many steps have been taken in recent years, including concrete policy measures for sports federations. Now all of these efforts should trickle down to every local sports club. We feel a lot of good will and commitment from federations and also sports clubs, but there is even more need for customized support and further training for club directors and trainers. ”
Never tolerate
According to the researchers, trainers can play a crucial role in detecting and intervening in transgressive behavior. Thomas More is therefore launching a new survey for youth trainers to gain insight into when they do or do not perform and what they need to nip such behavior in the bud.
Voice Flanders was launched three years ago by Sport Flanders, a forum for victims of sexual violence in sport. Four top athletes participated in a campaign video against sexually transgressive behavior: swimmer Pieter Timmers (silver at the 2016 Olympics), cyclist Ann-Sophie Duyck (gold BK time trial 2014, 2015 and 2016), taekwondoka Jaouad Achab (world champion in 2015) and judoka Ann Simons (bronze at the 2000 Olympics). In a video, they called on top athletes as well as competitive athletes and recreationists to clearly indicate their boundaries and never to tolerate sexually transgressive behavior.
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