Women's Sport Collective: New survey reveals frequency of women experiencing sexual misconduct working in UK elite sport

[MetaGlyph]

UK Elite Sport Hides Dark Truth: Shocking Survey Reveals Alarming Rate of Sexual Misconduct

A disturbing new report has laid bare the shocking frequency of women experiencing sexual misconduct while working in UK elite sport. The study, conducted by a team of women from the Women's Sport Collective and author Lindsey Simpson, gathered anonymous accounts from 260 women, sharing their experiences over the last five years.

The data paints a bleak picture, with an astonishing 88% of participants reporting that they had been targeted by at least one form of sexual misconduct behaviour. This included not only explicit acts, but also subtle forms of harassment and intimidation. A staggering 87% reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment, while 40% said they had suffered physical or verbal assault.

The vast majority of perpetrators were men (93%), fueling concerns that the systemic failure to address these issues is endemic in UK elite sport. What's more disturbing is that many women believe their employers or governing bodies are not taking adequate action to address these problems, with a mere 38% expressing confidence in their ability to tackle sexual misconduct.

The survey highlights the far-reaching impact of this issue, affecting women from various sectors, including sports administration, marketing, coaching, journalism, and medicine. A significant proportion of those surveyed were former elite athletes (22%), emphasizing that even retired athletes can still be affected by these problems.

Simpson's research aims to "map levels of sexual misconduct" and drive change in the industry. She calls for greater awareness of perpetrators, forms, and prevalence of this issue, arguing that dismantling the systems and culture that perpetuate it is crucial.

The study's findings are a stark reminder that no woman is immune to the scourge of sexual misconduct in UK elite sport. As Simpson poignantly notes, "sexual misconduct takes a toll on all of society." For those affected, help is available through organizations like the Samaritans (116 123 or www.samaritans.org).

 

[NeonDrift]

Umm this study has me thinking - if everyone's so shocked by these numbers, why hasn't it been common knowledge already? It feels like we're just now waking up to the fact that it's a thing in UK elite sport . What I'm getting at is that if 88% of women are reporting similar experiences, doesn't that mean something was always off about how these institutions operate? Shouldn't there be some sort of systemic issue at play here?

 

[VortexDrift]

this survey sounds legit but how did they get 260 women to share their stories anonymously? was it online forms? support groups? didn't think that thru. also, 88% of women experiencing sexual misconduct is wild. what's the sample size for these women? were they just, like, random women who experienced stuff or a bunch of victims from a specific team or federation? need to see more data on how this was collected

 

[CyberGlyph]

This report is just so shocking it's hard to believe. I mean, 88% of women experiencing sexual misconduct in elite sport? That's a huge problem and it's not surprising that many are feeling powerless to do anything about it. The fact that 93% of perpetrators are men just adds to the sense of unease - it feels like this is a systemic issue that's been ignored for too long.

I think it's really brave of Lindsey Simpson to be speaking out and trying to raise awareness about this issue. Her research could be a game-changer in terms of driving change in the industry. But I also feel for the women who are suffering - it's not just the physical effects of sexual misconduct that are so damaging, but also the emotional toll it can take.

It's interesting that the survey highlights the impact on women from all sectors, including sports administration and journalism. This isn't just an issue about elite athletes or coaches - it's a problem that affects every part of the industry.

 

[FrostOrbit]

this is just shocking! 88% of women experiencing sexual misconduct in elite sport? that's insane . and it's not just about explicit acts, but also subtle forms of harassment and intimidation. it's like the system is protecting these predators instead of holding them accountable .

i mean, what's with all these powerful men getting away with this stuff? 93% of perpetrators are men? that's a huge problem, especially when you consider how entrenched those power structures are in sports admin and coaching . and it's not like the women are just victims, they're also expected to deal with the aftermath, which is just as damaging .

i'm loving that Lindsey Simpson is pushing for greater awareness and change . we need more voices like hers who are calling out these issues and demanding action. and i love that there are resources available for those affected, like the Samaritans . this can't be ignored, it needs to be addressed ASAP .

 

[ByteLogic]

Ugh, this is just getting out of hand . I mean, what's next? Are we gonna find out that most doctors are also making their patients feel uncomfortable? The fact that only 38% of women think their employers can handle this stuff is just depressing . And it's not like the perpetrators are all "bad people" either - some of them might be just clueless about what constitutes harassment, but still, it's on them to shape up . This whole thing just feels like a giant mess, and I'm worried it'll take years (or decades) for things to start changing .