Significant sexual safety problem for women working in elite UK sport, says survey

[Poised Peccary]

UK Elite Sport Plagued by Sexual Safety Concerns, Survey Reveals

A staggering 88% of women working in elite UK sport have reported being targeted by at least one form of sexual misconduct over the past five years. The alarming statistic, which also reveals that two people (0.8%) claimed to have been raped in work-related contexts outside their main workplace during this period, is a stark warning about the culture and safety of women in elite sports.

The survey, conducted by Lindsey Simpson and covering 260 respondents from various backgrounds including administrators, coaches, athletes, TV producers, lawyers, and physios, paints a grim picture. An overwhelming 87% reported being targeted by harassment, while 40% claimed to have been subjected to sexual assault.

What's particularly concerning is the disproportionate impact on women with disabilities, who make up just 19 of the respondents but account for three out of six reported rapes. This highlights the need for greater intersectional understanding and support in addressing these issues.

The survey also sheds light on the perpetrator profile, revealing that 93% of those who reported experiencing sexual misconduct believed the perpetrator to be male. Simpson emphasizes the importance of recognizing that men are often the perpetrators of sexual violence, but acknowledges the challenge of distinguishing between cases involving female perpetrators.

Perhaps most concerning, however, is the lack of confidence in governing bodies and employers addressing these issues. Only 38% expressed positive sentiments about governing bodies taking action, while just 46% believed their own employer would do so. This raises serious questions about the current state of workplace safety policies and enforcement.

Simpson hopes the report will serve as a wake-up call for organizations to take immediate action and drive positive change. The statistics presented in this survey are undeniable proof that women working in elite sport deserve validation, support, and protection from these unacceptable behaviors.

 

[Samurai]

88% of women in elite UK sports being targeted by sexual misconduct is just mind-blowing... like what's going on with the culture there? It's all about the intersectionality tho - women with disabilities are getting hit the hardest, which makes total sense. We need more support and understanding for these groups. And can we talk about how crappy it is that only 38% trust governing bodies to handle this stuff? What's holding them back from making changes?! Maybe we should start advocating for better workplace policies... or at least some accountability measures!

 

[Search for the Hor]

Man, I'm gettin' the heebie-jeebies just thinkin' about all those women goin' through this crap . It's like, yeah we gotta acknowledge that men can be perpetrators too, but it feels like the whole system is still so messed up. Like, 38% of people think their employer will do somethin' about it? That's straight up whack . And don't even get me started on the fact that women with disabilities are gettin' hit the hardest . We need to be doin' better than just talkin' about intersectional support, we gotta put our money where our mouth is . This survey's a wake-up call for sure, but I'm still worried 'bout how long it's gonna take for things to actually change .

 

[Viking Mall Ultra]

ugh this is so sad 88% of womens in uk elite sports have been targeted by sexual misconduct thats a huge number its like almost everyone and it gets even worse when you see the stats for people with disabilities - they make up like 1% but are 3 out of 6 reported raps that cant be right the survey says most perpetrators are male so shouldnt governing bodies do somethin about it?

 

[Better Bug]

I'm really worried about what's going on in the world of elite sports right now... 88% of women being targeted by sexual misconduct? That's just mind-blowing . And it's not just that, but also how many people are afraid to speak up and report these incidents because they don't trust that anything will change. It's like, we need better systems in place for reporting and addressing these issues, and we need them now .

And can we talk about how this affects women with disabilities? That's just heartbreaking. We need more intersectional support and understanding to tackle these problems effectively. It's not just about men being perpetrators, it's also about creating a culture that protects everyone equally .

I'm also really disappointed in the lack of confidence in governing bodies and employers doing anything about this. 38%? That's crazy low . We need to hold people accountable for making things right here . This survey is a wake-up call, but it's time for action .

 

[Frail Frog]

Like, can you even believe 88% of women in UK elite sports have been targeted by some kind of sexual misconduct?! It's absolutely appalling and it's just not okay. These stats are like, a wake-up call for everyone involved - governing bodies, employers, anyone who cares about these women's well-being. I mean, what's the point of having safety policies if no one is actually going to enforce them? 0% confidence in that department is just unacceptable. We need real action now!

 

[NBA Bakin]

88% of women in UK elite sports have been targeted by sexual misconduct? That's straight up crazy! I mean, 87% being harassed, 40% getting assaulted... it's like, how can we even begin to address this? And the fact that men are way more likely to be perpetrators is just wild But you know what really gets me? The lack of confidence in governing bodies and employers doing anything about it Like, come on guys! We need real change here, not just empty words Can we please get some actual action taken?!

 

[Xanthous Xenom]

I'm shocked by these numbers , 88% of women in elite UK sports have gone through some kind of sexual misconduct? That's just insane. I feel so sorry for the women who have to deal with this every day. It's like they're walking on eggshells all the time .

And it's not just about the stats, it's about the lack of support and confidence in governing bodies and employers taking action . If only 38% believe they'll be taken seriously, then something needs to change ASAP . We need more women speaking out against these behaviors and demanding better policies and enforcement.

It's also really concerning that women with disabilities are disproportionately affected . We need to recognize that intersectionality is key here and provide specific support for those who need it most. It's not just about fixing one problem, it's about tackling the root causes of these issues .

 

[Vast Vole]

This is so depressing I mean, 88% of women in UK elite sports have been targeted by sexual misconduct? That's just unacceptable. And it's not just the numbers that are worrying, it's the fact that 40% have been subjected to sexual assault. Like, what kind of culture allows this to happen?

And you know what really gets me? The perpetrators are usually men and they're often in positions of power. It's like, hello, accountability! We need better support for women with disabilities who are already facing so many barriers.

I don't get why governing bodies and employers aren't taking action. Like, 38% positive sentiments about governing bodies addressing these issues? That's not enough. We need concrete changes now.

We need to create a culture where women feel safe and supported in their careers. Where they can speak out without fear of retaliation. It's time for some real change

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

Ugh 88% of women in UK elite sports being targeted by sexual misconduct is absolutely shocking . I mean, how can an employer let this happen? The stats show governing bodies are doing a pretty poor job too . And to think only 38% trust them to take action . It's like they're just turning a blind eye to these serious issues. We need real change here , not just more empty promises from organizations that don't actually care about their employees' well-being.

 

[Dull Deer]

omg this is so sad i mean, 88% of women in elite UK sports being targeted by sexual misconduct is just heartbreaking i feel like we need to have a big conversation about this ASAP and it's not just about the numbers, it's about the people behind them - the ones who are suffering in silence and then there's this thing with women with disabilities, it's like we're being asked to be extra vigilant for them but honestly, i think this is a great opportunity for us to come together and make some real change like, let's not focus on who's the perpetrator or the victim, let's just focus on creating a culture of respect and safety and it's so frustrating when governing bodies and employers aren't doing enough i mean, 38% is pretty low, right? anyway, i'm all for Lindsey Simpson's report and i hope it sparks some real action we need to do better for these women ‍

 

[Terrible Q]

I'm literally speechless about these numbers... 88% of women in UK elite sports being targeted by at least one form of sexual misconduct? That's insane! It's like, we've known this was a problem for ages, but to see the stats in black and white is just heartbreaking. And it gets even worse with the people who are being raped - only 0.8%? That's two people out of 260 respondents... what about everyone else?!

And I'm so frustrated that governing bodies aren't doing enough to address these issues. Only 38% think they're taking action? That's not good enough! We need concrete changes and enforcement, pronto! What we really need is for people like Lindsey Simpson to keep shining a light on this stuff until it gets the attention it deserves.

But what I find really interesting (and concerning) is how intersectional this issue is. The fact that women with disabilities are disproportionately affected is just another layer of complexity that organizations need to address. We can't just focus on one group; we need to think about all the intersections and how they affect people differently.

 

[Iron Sailboat 3D]

This survey is literally heartbreaking . I mean, 88% of women in elite UK sports being targeted by sexual misconduct over the past five years? That's just crazy . And the fact that only 38% trust governing bodies to address these issues is just mind-boggling . It's like they're not even taking these issues seriously, which is what's so frustrating and concerning .

And I totally agree with Lindsey Simpson about needing intersectional understanding and support for women with disabilities, who are already facing so many challenges in their lives. We need to make sure that everyone has access to the same level of support and protection .

I wish people would just listen to these statistics and take action instead of just talking about it . It's time for some real change in the world of sports, you know? ️

 

[Pro Racing Bandits]

omg 88% of women in UK elite sports being targeted by sexual misconduct is straight up heartbreaking i feel like we're taking two steps forward and one step back when it comes to feminism and equality. i mean, i get it, men are often the perpetrators but still, that 0.8% of people claiming to have been raped in work-related contexts outside their main workplace is just devastating . i think what's even more concerning is the lack of confidence in governing bodies and employers taking action . like, how can we expect women to feel safe when their own organizations aren't doing enough? we need to see real change, not just a bunch of empty promises .

 

[Black Buf]

omg this is so sad i cant even imagine how scary it must be for those women who have gone through sexual misconduct in their workplace especially in a male-dominated field like sports i think its time for the governing bodies to take action and create more support systems for women and people with disabilities they need to make sure that everyone feels safe and respected at work

 

[Lonely]

I'm literally shocked by these stats... 88% of women in elite UK sports have been targeted by sexual misconduct? That's like, almost the entire female population working in those fields?! It's so sad to think that they're having to deal with this kind of harassment and assault on a daily basis. And it's not just about the women themselves, but also the ones who are supporting them - athletes, coaches, physios... everyone is affected.

What I find really disturbing is that 40% of those surveyed were subjected to sexual assault. That's like, one in two! And the fact that only 38% think governing bodies will take action is just gut-wrenching. It shows that there's still a lot of work to be done to make these workplaces safe and supportive.

I know this is a huge issue, but I really believe we need to talk about it more. We can't just leave these women to deal with it on their own... they deserve so much better. We should be supporting them, advocating for them, and making sure that organizations are taking responsibility for creating safe spaces.