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Sexual Harassment in the Context of Sports Lucy W. Maina (Ph.D)

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Sports Lucy W. Maina (Ph.D). Paper presented to the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE KENYATTA UNIVERSITY 1 st – 3rd AUGUST 2012 CREATING SAFE SPACES: A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE . Introduction.

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Sexual Harassment in the Context of Sports Lucy W. Maina (Ph.D)

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  1. Sexual Harassment in the Context of SportsLucy W. Maina (Ph.D) Paper presented to the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE KENYATTA UNIVERSITY 1st – 3rd AUGUST 2012 CREATING SAFE SPACES: A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

  2. Introduction • Sexual harassment has been defined as any unwanted, often persistent, sexual attention • In broadest terms-Includes written or verbal sexual overtone , sexually oriented comments, jokes, lewd comments or sexual innuendoes, taunts about body, dress, marital status or sexuality, sexual or homophobic graffiti, practical jokes based on sex, intimidating sexual remarks, invitations of familiarity or exaggerated familiarity, unwanted physical contact, fondling, pinching or kissing, sex-related vandalism, offensive 'phone calls or photos, bullying on the basis of sex, flashing among others. 2 of 17

  3. Introduction • In certain contexts, it is especially perpetrated by males to females and thrives on cultural as well as situational inequalities • It may be overt or covert and can be public or private in manifestation • Can often thrive under the guise of fondness, preference, appreciation or familiarity 3 of 17

  4. Sporting context • According to the Marquette Sports Law Review, Volume 13 (2003), SH can happen at all levels but its prevalence is particularly higher in elite sports • Coaches and trainers who are in positions of power and authority appear to be the primary perpetrators 4 of 17

  5. Context • Peer athletes have also been identified as perpetrators. Males are more often reported as perpetrators than females • Brackenridge & Fasting (2002) attest that SH in sports is rampant but grossly underreported • Attested that sports environments and training create the ‘necessary’ structural context for SH 5 of 17

  6. Context • With regard to space, SH in sports occurs especially in locker rooms, in/at sports arenas, on trips, at the home or of the coach and in connection with social arrangements. • In social contexts, it is primarily when there is alcohol in the picture that sexual harassment and abuse may occur. • Further, the definition of ‘space’ is shroud with trust and expectations of both parties 6 of 17

  7. Theoretical approaches • It is believed that structural and cultural inequalities support the practice • Among the structural inequalities is the fact that sports are dominated by males and that sports ‘glorify’ masculinity • Female trainees may aspire to ‘become’ more like male trainers in order to achieve an outcome of success in sports 7 of 17

  8. Factors contributing • The Coach/Trainer-Athlete/Student Relationship • Exercises situational authority • Has a determinant role • Competency gap exists • The Physical Nature of Sports • lot of physical contact expected • physical moves by actually touching, moving, steadying or shifting • Coaches have to help ally self body consciousness 8 of 17

  9. Factors • Overemphasis on the Physiche in Sports • height, weight, muscle tone, body endurance • Response of body to training • Multiple roles of the coach • Coaches are mentors • The coach as an emotional resort /support • Coach’s rights to information of personal nature • Sports Wear; lightness, versatility, stretchiness, sweat vest- higher tolerance 9 of 17

  10. Factors • Low reporting -though acts that are sexual by nature may occur • inkling that the acts may have been necessary after all • loyalty to a coach • feelings of embarrassment • evidence is often fluid -in a study conducted in South Africa-UCT- 77% of athletes did not report SH: 38% due to fear of being cut from the team, 36% due to fear of not being believed, 51% due to embarrassment, 29% due loyalty to coach 10 of 17

  11. Empirical findings • Ongoing study targeting training camps of various sports of the AAK • Utilizing a case study design to establish how rampant SH in sports, nature of the SH, Reporting of SH and Actions after SH • In-depth interview with women trainees • Qualitative analysis of narratives/case 11 of 17

  12. Findings • Respondents ages ranged from 18-35 • Confirmation that SH is rampant (at least (14 (46%) have experienced it) • Involves touching unnecessarily, squeezing suggestively, rubbing body unto the trainee, winking, squeezing the hand, sexual innuedo/phone call, fondling of breast, sexual intercourse in at least 3 cases 12 of 17

  13. Findings cont’ • Place of incidence: field of play, changing room, camp grounds, class • Perpetrators: peer trainers, trainers/coach • Time: night and day were equally reported but in almost all cases, privacy was not a prerequisite • Outcome was shame, broken relationship, self-hate and blame, confusion and deep thoughts, dropping out • Low reporting, discussing with peers common 13 of 17

  14. Conclusions • Sports activities require a clear mind, concentration, focus • SH can hamper learning and can lead to absconding • May have far reaching psychological effects thus limiting potential and success of players • Due to the physical nature of sports, players and trainers require a deeper understanding of SH and its forms 14 of 17

  15. Recommendations • Adherence to UNESCO Code of Sports Ethics adopted by the Second World Conference on Women and Sports in 1998 • obligates all parties involved in sport to ensure “a safe and supportive environment for girls and women participating in sport at all levels by taking steps to eliminate all forms of harassment and abuse, violence and exploitation.” • Domestication of Code of ethics in all sports is a necessity e.g Windhoek Call for Action • Athletics Association of Kenya has regulations for trainers and trainees but mainly on discipline 15 of 17

  16. Continued • Governments, institutions and sports association should put in place regulations and guidelines that prohibit romantic relationships • Continuous training on what constitutes sexual harassment and where the ‘boundaries’ lie while encouraging dialogue and reporting • Use of sports in curbing sexual and gender-based violence as has been done in Zambia, South Africa • Need to study how SH manifests in institutions e.g secondary schools and also during sports functions and competitions 16 of 17

  17. THANK YOU

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