Sexual abuse in sport

What is sexual abuse?
What is unwanted or nonconsensual contact?
What is consent?
What does Age of Consent mean?
What is Grooming?
Resources and help?

Sexual Abuse in Sport

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse refers to any form of unwanted, or non-consensual sexual contact; this includes unwanted sexual communication (in person or online, like texting) or unwanted or non-consensual sexual activity.

What is unwanted or nonconsensual contact?

Some examples are inappropriate communication via text message or direct messages on social media, suggestive gestures, uninvited massages, unwanted kissing or inappropriate touching.
Inappropriate touching is any unwanted physical contact that makes the recipient feel uncomfortable, even if it seems harmless to someone else.

What is consent?

Giving someone permission or to actively agree for something to happen is the definition of consent.

What does Age of Consent mean?

The Age of Consent is the age at which a young person can legally agree to sexual activity:

12-13 – A young person may have sexual activity with a person who is within 2 years of their age, provided:

  • There is consent
  • The sexual partner is not in a relationship with the young person that is exploitative.
  • The young person is not in a relationship of dependency with the sexual partner

14-15 – A young person may have sexual activity with a person who is within 5 years of their age, provided:

  • There is consent
  • The sexual partner is not in a relationship with the young person that is exploitative.
  • The young person is not in a relationship of dependency with the sexual partner

16-17 – A young person may have sexual activity with any person keeping in mind the above restrictions AND that the following conditions are met:

  • There is consent
  • The sexual partner is not in a relationship with the young person that is exploitative.
  • The young person is not in a relationship of dependency with the sexual partner

Lastly, the sexual partner is not in a position of trust or authority. It is important to know that a young person may not have sexual contact with a person of trust or authority which means someone who is in a position of power like a coach, sports trainer, teacher or medical professional.

The legal age of consent to have sexual activity is 16; but remember, sexual activity without consent is a criminal offense, regardless of age.

What is grooming?

Grooming is when a perpetrator engages in predatory conduct to eventually establish a sexual relationship with a young athlete.

Grooming is a gradual process.

The perpetrator will strike up a close friendship by establishing an emotional connection, trust and finding opportunities to test the athlete out for secrecy and reliability. Conversation by text is used more-so now at the start of grooming.

Once this close friendship and trust is built, the perpetrator continues to make the athlete feel special, giving them rides home, buying them gifts, clothing, slurpee’s, having sleepovers, spending extra time with the player compared to others and then begins to bargain, saying things like “you have to do this for me because I have done that for you”.

The perpetrator will also provide the player with a “cool space” to hang out, provide them with drugs and alcohol, even let them watch pornography.
This behavior is a repetitive trait of grooming.

The perpetrator will start to then develop isolation and control. For example, getting the athlete to rely on them instead of their parent(s), preventing access to friendships with other players or support systems.  The perpetrator may also check the athlete’s commitment through questioning and setting small tests.

The final stage is where the perpetrator will initiate acts of sexual behaviors such as crossing verbal boundaries. If the athlete objects to sexual touching for example, the perpetrator will state, “you didn’t mind last time” making the athlete feel trapped or even guilty.

The perpetrator may also invoke co-operation by saying “you owe me, it’s the least you can do” and even make threats like “if you tell anyone I’ll hurt you or drop you from the team” Creating fear in the athlete as the coach has influence on their career.

These types of behaviors or characteristics are red flags of grooming.

If at any time an individual feels uncomfortable in a situation, they need to know that there is help available and many resources that offer support. And most importantly it’s not your fault.

Safe sport examples for athletes

Resources and help

Athletes should feel comfortable challenging inappropriate behavior by others and know that they can go to any trusted adult or teammate if they are ever feeling uncomfortable. Athletes who experience sexual abuse need to understand that they should not feel ashamed or guilty because what happened to them is not their fault; adults should know better, period.

There is help, support options and counselling available to those who have experienced sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse is a painful and difficult experience to disclose, sexual abuse can be reported to Police, or a third party.

Speaking to someone anonymously over the phone is also an option; there are resources available 24/7 such as Klinic’s Sexual Assault Crisis Line.

Winnipeg Police Service

Safe Sport Line

Sport Manitoba

Klinic Community Health (Sexual Assault Crisis Program

Knowles Centre

Sage House

Manitoba Child Family Services

Canadian Center for Child Protection