Study finds sexual behavior by coaches often seen as normal in youth sports
A research group at EHU in the Basque Country reports that 20 percent of surveyed athletes experienced sexual behavior from coaches.
Survey results show high rates
Researchers combined surveys with interviews to examine athlete perceptions. The data indicates that many participants encountered sexual interest or direct proposals for relations. Despite these findings, people often believe such abuse does not happen in sports.
Perceptions create a gray zone
Athletes frequently do not perceive everyday behaviors as abusive at the time. Survivors reconstruct their experiences and identify those same behaviors as part of the abuse process. This gap between perception and reality makes prevention difficult.
Research aims to make it visible
The study was published in the European Journal for Sport and Society. The team wants to uncover this taboo subject so it can be prevented. Their goal is to show that sexual violence against minors in sports is not an isolated phenomenon.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.