Sexual assaults
Sport is not an ideal world, but sport can create joie de vivre and well-being if everyone involved respects the integrity and dignity of each individual. Every sportsperson, especially sports leaders, can help to prevent sexual assault in sport by taking a close look and setting clear boundaries.
Sensitivity to the topic
When is sexual assault considered to have occurred? Sexual assault against children and young people is defined as any act by an adult with or against a child or young person that serves to sexually arouse or satisfy the adult. It should be noted here that not everyone perceives an act/statement in the same way, because while some people feel harassed by a coach's remark, others put such remarks away as a funny comment. A second aspect is also important for sport: where does the necessary "good" touching end and where does "bad" assaultive touching begin? As people get close to each other and touch each other in sport, clear rules must apply.
How many sexual assaults occur in sport has not been clearly investigated. In Switzerland, it is estimated that 2000-5000 assaults occur in the leisure sector. As sport is the most important leisure activity for 85% of children up to the age of 14, many of these assaults occur in the sports sector. There is no specific type of sport that is particularly affected, as the assaults often occur outside of sporting activities and the activities themselves are primarily used to socialise. However, there are four typical constellations for assaults:
The first constellation includes coaches who build up a relationship with boys in particular, invite them to events outside of training sessions and thereby also gain the trust of the parents. This behaviour is often noticed and the coach leaves the club again. In sports where there is a shortage of coaches, however, such coaches easily find a job again because there is no time to clarify the situation before hiring them.
Assaults by young adults on (mostly female) adolescents are common. In most cases, these young adults are unaware of their role, misinterpret a young woman's crush as an invitation to sexual activity or are unable to deal with the sexual attractiveness of women. Sayings or even sexual acts can be a consequence of this.
The third constellation occurs in elite sport, because there are often pronounced dependency relationships, which can then be exploited for the sexual exploitation of athletes.
Young leaders, for example in youth organisations, who have been insufficiently sensitised or are insecure in their sexual development, form the fourth constellation. The assaults are often only one-offs, which is not usual.
There is no clear perpetrator profile. Assaults can happen anywhere and are not dependent on ethnic origin, education, social class or religious affiliation. With regard to the victim, it should be noted that children and young people who have been educated in an age-appropriate manner and come from an environment in which sexuality is not taboo are better protected against assault.
Basic rules of correct behaviour
Support, if possible without physical contact: Teachers or trainers explain to children and young people the benefits and ways of providing assistance to safely perform an exercise. Wherever possible, verbal assistance should be favoured.
Physical assistance is better provided by peers: Where possible, children and young people should be able to choose who provides assistance themselves.
Feedback should be objective and not personal Group and individual feedback should be used with great care. Feedback on appearance or other personal feedback should be avoided.
Entering the cloakrooms is prohibited: The leader (coach, teacher, etc.) must avoid changing in the same cloakroom as the children or young people or entering it without a legitimate reason (exception: medical emergencies).
It is worth having the sports leaders sign a declaration of principles in which the most important points about responsibility, rules of behaviour and duties are set out. In terms of infrastructure, there must be separate cloakrooms with no possibility of viewing and separate toilets. Clear labelling and access regulations are also required.
Specialist centres
If there are signs of sexual assault, a sports leader is unsure about it or children and young people want to turn to someone, specialist centres are the best places to go.
Federal office for sports, Y+S: information sheets.
Swiss Olympic: umbrella organisation for Swiss sport, courses and conferences in collaboration with other specialist agencies, information sheets
Child Protection Switzerland: counselling and information, training courses, specialist literature.
mira: prevention through information material, counselling, support and training courses. Organisations can become members if they implement mira prevention measures.
Emergency hotline 143 (Dargebotene Hand); emergency hotline 147 (counselling and help, Pro Juventute)