Sexual harassment: A case of misused power

Aug 07, 2020

Behind closed doors, sexual harassment in sports is carried out by people in positions of authority

The conversation on sexual harassment is far from over. It lurks in the shadows of offices and sports locker rooms.

Despite the silent rumours that sexual harassment is rampant, most companies will keep mum about allegations sometimes preferring behind the scenes settlements. Sometimes the victims themselves keep silent. Global campaigns like #MeToo movement brought to life the sad reality of how perpetrators go unreported and unpunished while the victims carry psychological trauma for decades. If many women at the top suffer silently through sexual harassment, how many more are suffering at the bottom? How many get justice? Are they safe from retaliation?

Perhaps to internalise the issues surrounding sexual harassment, its very definition must be understood. According to researchers, sexual harassment has two connotations; one is sexual coercion - legally termed as "quid pro quo harassment" - referring to indirect or direct attempts to make work conditions dependent upon sexual cooperation. The classic "sleep with me or you're fired" scenario is a perfect example of sexual coercion. The second and more common, form of sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention: unwanted touching, hugging, stroking, kissing, relentless pressure for dates or sexual behaviour. However, to constitute unlawful sexual harassment, the sexual advances must be unwelcome and unpleasant to the recipient.

In 2016, reports by Uganda Ministry of Health Gender Discrimination and Inequality Analysis (GDIA) found that 32.1% of employee survey respondents reported that sexual harassment involving manager/supervisor expectations of sexual favours in order (for staff) to get a good evaluation, a promotion, or a salary raise were either "somewhat common" or "very common."

Behind closed doors, sexual harassment in sports is carried out by people in positions of authority like coaches, board members or senior officer. Even though it can happen at all levels, incidences appear to be higher in the elite sport. In multiple ways, a coach has significant power over an athlete, the bond between the coach and the players is based on trust and that the coach knows much more. A former Ugandan athletics coach Peter Wemali was arrested and charged in 2014 for sexually abusing underage female runners during training camp. He is said to have advised them to get pregnant and abort after three months to run better. Research goes on to show that sexual harassment and abuse in sport has a serious and negative impact on the player's performance and psychological health. It can result in anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm, suicide and sometimes abandonment of the sport altogether.

On July 14th this year, the former head of Afghanistan's soccer federation, Keramuddin Karim lost his appeal against a life ban from football activities by FIFA,  for sexually abusing players from the women's national team. In its judgement upholding FIFA's verdict, the Court of Arbitration for Sport's panel said that Karim "Violated basic human rights and damaged the mental and physical dignity and integrity of young female players."  In his home country, however, the women are still calling for his arrest.

If the sports industry is however serious about promoting women sports, then the conversation about sexual harassment, abuse, and assault should be aggressively tackled from top to bottom. Then again, because the sports industry is largely male-dominated and male-run, it becomes a perfect a breeding ground for the vice. Some researchers on the topic have theorised that some men play the tune of cultural patriarchy that sees the woman as a sex object while others say that the men still view women as intruders and are threatened by the increasing prevalence of women in sports, hence the sexual harassment and discrimination.

How can women and sports organisations prevent sexual harassment?          Organisations and companies with more than 25 employees are required by law to set up a "Sexual Harassment Policy". What organisations should remember is that combating the vice does not only safeguard their employees but also protects their brands. Sexual scandals can damage a company's reputation and also cost money.

Furthermore, sports organisations can have in place codes of ethics and conduct for coaches, whether they work with adults or children. Mechanisms to screen all applicants for the coaching staff and volunteer positions should also be in place. Additionally, provide training and research on how sexual harassment and sexual relationships can negatively influence coach-athlete relationships. Organisations can also develop complaint procedures that ensure privacy such as suggestion boxes and appointing a sexual harassment focal person. The protection of the legal rights of athletes and coaches against retaliation should also be guaranteed.

Having said all this, the culture of tolerance and silence about sexual harassment continues to hinder efforts put in place by many stakeholders. Even with policies in place, the most important and basic thing is communication either speaking against or reporting the vice. This communicates to the predators that they will not be harboured; it also communicates to the victims that they will be heard and listened to and that it is safe to speak up. Communication around sexual harassment breaks the cultural misconceptions and protects future generations from the same.

In the end, sexual harassment is illegal and has no place in sports or any other sector.

The writer is a sports activist with a master's degree in sports management from Real Madrid Graduate School.

 

 

 

                                                                                                        

 

 

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