This book addresses the major forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in children’s sport, including sexual, physical, and psychological violence and neglect. It reviews the historical, sociocultural, and political influences on violence towards children, and sets out future agendas for research and practice to eliminate GBV in sport.
The book argues that for GBV to occur and be sustained over time, it must be facilitated by a system that enables this violence, protects the perpetrator, disables bystanders, silences the victims, and/or fails to provide a structure by which to address victims’ or bystanders’ concerns. Drawing on empirical research from across a range of disciplines, including sport sociology, sport psychology, developmental psychology, and coaching, and examining real life case studies of GBV in sport at all levels, the book makes a powerful case for radical change in our current systems of sport governance, safeguarding, and athlete welfare.
This is important reading for any student, researcher, policy-maker, coach, welfare officer or counsellor with an interest in sport, gender studies, safeguarding, criminology, or sociology.
An electronic version of this book is freely available, thanks to the support of libraries working with Knowledge Unlatched (KU). KU is a collaborative initiative designed to make high quality books Open Access for the public good. The Open Access ISBN for this book is 9781003035138. More information about the initiative and links to the Open Access version can be found at www.knowledgeunlatched.org.
PART I
Introduction to Childhood and Child Athletes
1 Introduction
2 A Brief History of Childhood: What It Means to Be a Child
3 The Making of Elite Child Athletes
4 What Is Gender?
PART II
Forms of Gender-Based Violence
5 What Is Gender-Based Violence?
6 Psychological Violence in Children’s Sport
7 Neglect in Children’s Sport
8 Sexual Violence in Children’s Sport
9 Physical Violence in Children’s Sport
10 The Effects of Gender-Based Violence
PART III
Why Does Gender-Based Violence Occur?
How Is It Sustained and Silenced?
11 Addressing Cultural Norms of Sport
12 A Look at Failed Sport Policies
13 The Autonomy of Sport
PART IV
Recommendations and Conclusions
14 Realising Children’s Sport Without Violence
15 Conclusion
Biography
Gretchen Kerr is Professor and Dean in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto, Canada.
