Sexual aggression in sport
| Pages | 211-214 |
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-10-2017-0042 |
| Author | Daniel Mark Carter,Roxanne Khan,Gayle Brewer |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Sexual aggression in sport
Daniel Mark Carter, Roxanne Khan and Gayle Brewer
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the sexual aggression in sport literature,
including an analysis of interventions delivered to athletes that focus on the role of the coach and wider
sporting community. The paper will also discuss the limitations of applying such prevention methods and
possible directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper provides an overview of research investigating the
prevalence of sexually aggressive behaviour perpetrated by athletes, theoretical explanations of their sexual
misconduct, and the application of violence prevention methods delivered to athletes.
Findings –Research findings are discussed in relation to the prevalence of sexual aggression in sport and
the efficacy of prevention methods.
Originality/value –This is a viewpoint piece on sexual aggression in sport.
Keywords Coaching, Intervention, Sexual violence, Sport, Prevention methods, Sexual aggression,
Sexual coercion
Paper type Viewpoint
As the physical and psychological health benefits of sporting activity are well established,
engagement in sport is often encouraged. Concerns have been raised, however, with regard to
athletes’off-field conduct and their use of sexually aggressive behaviour in particular. This paper
will discuss the prevalence of sexually aggressive behaviour by athletes and prevention methods
that focus on the role of the coach and the wider sporting community. Limitations of existing
research will be identified along with directions for future research. For the purpose of this paper,
sexual aggression is defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual
comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality
using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting,
including but not limited to home and work”(Krug et al., 2002, p. 149).
Research studies consistently document a higher prevalence of sexually aggressive attitudes and
behaviour amongst athletes compared to non-athletes. However, much of the research is
conductedin North Americanstudent populations.These findingshave been reportedin self-report
studies with female victims and male perpetrators (e.g. Frintner and Rubinson, 1993). Furthermore,
records indicate that in student populations, athletes are significantly more likely to be reported to
judicial affairs for sexual assault than non-sporting male students ( Crosset et al., 1996).
Research suggests that aggression towards women varies between sports, in particular, team
sports that reflect male hegemony may encourage physical and sexual aggression towards women
(Benedict, 1997). Athletes that play aggressive sports are significantly more likely to engage in dating
aggression and sexually coercive behaviour than non-aggressive sporting or non-sporting
participants (Forbes et al., 2006). In particular, it has been reported that players of sports such as
American football and basketball display higher levels of aggression, are more likely to hold sexist
attitudes compared with players of other sports and are more likely to abuse their partners
(McCauley et al., 2014). It is unclear, however, whether sexual aggression associated with these
sports reflects the nature of the sport itself or the status afforded to such sports in popular culture.
It has been proposed that five main factors contribute to greater incidence of sexual aggression
amongst student athletes. These factors are as follows: male bonding, sport acting as a
masculine proving ground, combative sports and violence, the athletic justice system, and
“big man on campus”syndrome (Melnick, 1992). Such research suggests that athletes may wish
Received 14 October 2017
Revised 15 December 2017
27 December 2017
Accepted 30 December 2017
Daniel Mark Carter is a PhD
Student and Roxanne Khan is a
Senior Lecturer in Forensic
Psychology, both at the School
of Psychology, University of
Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Gayle Brewer is a Lecturer at
the School of Psychology,
University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JFP-10-2017-0042 VOL. 20 NO. 3 2018, pp. 211-214, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
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JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
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PAG E 21 1
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