Boys

Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect in Sports

There are many warning signs of possible abuse or neglect of a child.

Effects of Abuse and Neglect in Sports

A child who has been abused or neglected may experience a range of negative effects.

Types of Abuse and Neglect in Sports

Abuse in youth sports can take several forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Child Sexual Abuse: The Dark Underbelly Of Youth Sports Culture

The Penn State scandal didn’t occur in youth sports.  Yet, it is one of the rare occasions that sex abuse by coaches, which is a major problem in youth sports, got the type of national publicity that allowed the problem to penetrate the public consciousness.  The big question is whether we as a sports society are up to the task of doing to more to prevent future abuse.

 

Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal: What Happens When Media Spotlight Fades?

The alleged sexual abuse of boys by a longtime coach at Penn State* has focused media attention once again on the issue.  For the parents of the alleged victims, of course, their worst nightmares have come true. But what could have been done to prevent it? And is the culture of male sports itself at least partially to blame?

The sad fact, as noted in an article by Michael Hartill, a lecturer in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, England who has studied sexual abuse of boys in sports extensively, is that "the largely unregulated world of children's sport has typically been slow to address the issue of sexual abuse of youth athletes." 

The alleged sexual abuse of boys by a longtime coach at Penn State has focused media attention once again on the issue.  For the parents of the alleged victims, of course, one their worst nightmares has come true. But what could have been done to prevent it? And is the culture of male sports itself at least partially to blame?

Sexual Abuse of Boys in Sports: Is Homophobia A Factor In Delayed Reporting?

With the media spotlight recently focused on sexual abuse of boys in sports, a British expert suggests that one of the principal reasons why young males allow the abuse to continue and delay reporting, often for decades, lies in the homophobic culture of sports itself.

Sexual Abuse of Boys in Sports: Does The Sports Culture Itself Play A Role?

Given the dominant importance of masculinity in male sport, it is not surprising that many within sport (as well as beyond sport) do not even believe that boys are sexually abused in sports. But, sadly, as Jerry Sandusky conviction showed, and the new allegations of sexual abuse against former House Speaker Dennis Hastert suggest, it does happen, perhaps a lot more than people think.

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