The research project, supported by the IOC Olympic Studies Centre under its Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme, found current integrity structures built for doping or match fixing are not suitable for addressing gender-based violence.
The pathways for reporting gender-based violence in sport are unclear and difficult to navigate, with those responsible for handling reports often lacking trauma training and systems are focused on managing risk and reputation rather than care.
The findings have driven the development of a new, evidence-based toolkit designed to assist sport organisations in creating safer, more supportive environments for women and gender-diverse people.
The research team consisted of experts from La Trobe, the University of Sydney and Victoria University. They interviewed 27 women and gender-diverse people to understand their experiences of disclosing violence in sport.
“I did say what happened and then nobody believed me. They were like, ‘I just don’t think he would have done that’,” one woman disclosing gender-based violence said.
“It was like this really traumatic thing. I think I only played one or two more games last year ... because I felt really uncomfortable," another participant said.
The participants called for independent, trauma-informed complaint pathways and meaningful accountability, not just symbolic actions.
The research team also interviewed 18 policy developers, integrity managers and staff to explore how systems operate in practice and the challenges faced by those who implement them. Those working in policy development and administration at sporting organisations also recognised significant challenges in current systems and structures.
“The systems are still written by those who don’t understand,” one policy administrator said.
Others described how receiving disclosures of violence impacted them: “one time I got a report and had to run out the door to throw up. It was just so terrible”.
Another referred to coping with the experience of receiving a disclosure as “screaming into the void”.
Past research reveals up to 74 per cent of women report experiencing psychological, physical or sexual violence in sport – despite it being championed as a space for women’s empowerment and equality.
Associate Professor Kirsty Forsdike, the project’s lead researcher and Associate Dean Research and Industry Engagement at the La Trobe Rural Health School, said the findings provided a roadmap for policy and practice improvements, both in Australia and internationally.
“Women advocated for pathways that were independent, transparent, supportive and victim-survivor-centred, backed by a sporting culture that no longer tolerates silence, disbelief or impunity,” Dr Forsdike said.
“The Safe to Speak, Bound to Act toolkit provides clear frameworks for readiness, policy design, education and support for responders, aiming to move beyond compliance and create victim-survivor centred pathways.”
It can be referred to or used as an educational tool to strengthen responses to gender-based violence across Australian sport, sitting alongside existing framework.
“With this toolkit, Australian sport can take a vital step towards a future where every woman feels safe, heard and empowered – on and off the field,” Dr Forsdike said.
- Access the toolkit: http://www.safersport.org/safetospeak
