Community sport organisations need consider how they will prevent and respond to incidents of racism, homophobia, sexual harassment and other types of discrimination.
These issues continue to affect people in community sport. Recent research has found that:
- 30% of people in community sport have experienced racism, and a further 26% have witnessed it.
- According to the 2024 Pride in Sport Index National Survey, 53% of respondents have witnessed homophobia, biphobia, or vilification based on LGBTQI+ identities.
- In a recent study of childhood sport experiences, 40% of women reported experiencing sexual violence, with even higher rates of non-contact abuse reported.
Studies also indicate that people can experience multiple forms of discrimination based on their race, gender and sexuality.
This issue affects everyone in community sport and it’s not just about a few ‘bad apples’ ruining it for everyone. Incidents like these continue to happen during training, on the games and events. Increasingly, online environments including chat groups and social media accounts linked to clubs and associations are places where poor behaviours occur.
The impact is:
- Harm to people’s physical or emotional well-being
- Ongoing trauma for victims and bystanders
- People leaving sport for good
- People not feeling like they belong in sport, or society.
What you can do about it
There are resources and support networks your club can use to prevent harassment, discrimination and vilification. The key to taking a preventive approach is to:
- Take it seriously. Everyone wins when a club culture is positive, safe and welcoming to everyone, regardless of age, gender or ability. Racism and discrimination is not always obvious, and people who leave because of it, won’t always provide feedback to the committee.
- Support victims. Responding quickly with compassion. Applying a zero-tolerance policy towards racism, homophobia and sexual harassment is critical to providing a more positive outcome for victims.
- Deal with complaints. Follow the processes in your sport’s Complaints, Disputes and Resolutions Policy to address issues that fall under your Safeguarding Children and Young People or Member Protection Policy.
- Prioritise mental health. Great clubs act to support members through mental health program and awareness talks. Consider training committee members and coaches in Mental Health First Aid training. Everyone benefits from a culture that cares for all members.