Sexual harassment goes often unnoticed in sports clubs

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There are suspicions that sexual harassment within sports clubs and physical exercise activities still often goes unnoticed. Only in the past five years have there been discussions on the subject in the governing bodies of various sports. Many of the national sports federations still do not have any kind of plan of action available for sexual harassment incidents.
      The umbrella organisation, the Finnish Sports Federation (SLU), is contacted about half a dozen times a year on the matter.
      "The threshold to bring the subject up has lowered, but consistency is needed in handling harassment issues. Organisations and federations should have ready-made action plans for such cases", emphasises SLU Manager of Social Responsibility Nelli Koivisto.
     
The matter is important, affecting a large number of people, for no less than 40 per cent of Finnish children and youth take part in organised sports. The number of volunteer adults working with them exceeds half a million.
      Only if the local authority is purchasing the physical activity services can the criminal records of those volunteering to coach children be checked.
      For all organisations, Koivisto recommends coach agreements designed after the SLU model, where there are sanctions concerning harassment. SLU recommends that national sports federations put on record a two-year ban from participation in their activities for anyone who sexually harasses a minor.
      Sexual harassment can manifest itself as calling somebody names, suggestive gestures or facial expressions, innuendo or questions relating to someone's body, private life, or the way they dress, sexual touching, "keeping in touch" coloured with sexual connotation, derogatory or sexist jokes, repeated sexual suggestions, or coercing into sexual contact.
      "The responsibility to put a stop to unethical behaviour lies within the administration of the sports club", Koivisto notes.
     
In many sports touching is necessary, and drawing the line between what is appropriate and inappropriate may be difficult. In such cases the coach should explain his or her actions in advance when assisting the youth to learn the correct execution of a manoeuvre or exercise.
      Because of the issue of authority between a coach and an athlete, courtship between the two, even when the age difference is small, calls for keen assessment.
      "To fall for one's idol may be part of being young, but even if the youngster is the one taking the initiative, the adult is always the one who is accountable", Koivisto emphasises.
     
Sometimes it is difficult for children and the youth to talk about harassment, and that makes detecting it hard.
      "An adult has to have the eye to see that something is wrong. Nobody sides with a child except his or her own parents", says psychologist and trauma psychotherapist Soili Poijula.
      Furthermore, the children and young adults who have witnessed harassment or exploitation also need help and support, for they too may have become traumatised.
      The subject of sexual harassment in sports clubs made national news recently with the sentencing of a martial arts trainer for offences against his charges.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Four-year prison sentence for Oulu child molester (2.10.2006)

Links:
  Finnish Sports Federation

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