Update: The Truth Project - child sexual abuse in sports

The Truth Project offers the victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in England and Wales the opportunity to share their experiences of child sexual abuse. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s (IICSA) Research Team then uses the information obtained for ongoing research and data analysis.

In June 2020, the IICSA Research Team published a report on their findings in relation to experiences of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in a sports context. This was their fourth publication following previous research with regards to child sexual abuse in religious institutions, children’s homes and residential care, and custodial institutions.

Nature and extent of research

The report presents the Inquiry’s research findings in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in sporting environments such as sports clubs, sports institutions and sports associations where the abuser either worked or volunteered in those environments.

The experiences of sexual abuse researched has taken place between the 1950s and 2010s.

Research Findings

Following their research and analysis of the relevant data, in respect of the 3,939 people who shared an experience between June 2016 and March 2020, the IICSA Research Team report the following:

• 64 (2%) described child sexual abuse that took place in a sports context.
• 58 (91%) of these 64 participants reported being sexually abused by a sporting coach or volunteer in a sports organisation.
• 39 (61%) of the 64 participants said the most frequently reported location of sexual abuse to have taken place was at a sports club.
• All perpetrators were adult males.

Conclusions

From the qualitative sample of nine participants, a number of suggestions have been made and are as follows:

1. Structural: The legislative, governance and organisational frameworks within and between institutions.
   1. Improved reporting procedures at club and league level;
   2. Stricter rules and regulations to oversee sports clubs that are not affiliated with schools;
   3. All staff and volunteers to have regular and timely checks made about them;
   4. Improved protection and support for those coming forward to disclose child sexual abuse;
   5. Improved education and awareness;
   6. Greater support for pregnant women with histories of experiencing child sexual abuse. 

2. Cultural: The attitudes, behaviours and values that prevent institutions from responding effectively to child sexual abuse.
   1. In order to encourage victims and survivors to come forward, there is a need to continue raising awareness of child sexual abuse in a sports context;
   2. Adults to directly ask children if they are experiencing or have experienced abuse where there are suspicions or concerns; and
   3. Education for all in respect of the importance of supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and how experiences of non-recent abuse can still affect people throughout their lives. 

3. Professional and political: The leadership, professional and practice issues for those working or volunteering in relevant institutions.
   1. Awareness and teaching of child sexual abuse to be raised in schools;
   2. Improvement of multi-agency working arrangements to better support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse;
   3. Improved communication by institutions with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse;
   4. Provision of more timely and helpful information by institutions in respect of support available to victims and survivors; and
   5. Court processes need to more explicitly and sensitively consider and acknowledge the impact of child sexual abuse on victims and survivors.

Notwithstanding the above, it is noted that there have already been significant developments in addressing child protection issues in sport since 2000 and it is accepted that some of the above suggestions may have already been implemented.

Due to the limited number of participants that have come forward to share their experiences of child sexual abuse in a sports context, research is ongoing and it is therefore expected that there will be a wider analysis and further report published at the end of the Inquiry.