Assessing the sociology of sport: On gender-based violence and child maltreatment in sport

Abstract

On the 50th anniversary of the ISSA and IRSS, a leading sociologist of sport in Germany, Bettina Rulofs, considers scholarly inquiry into gender-based violence and child maltreatment in sport. Putting perspective on the increasing awareness of gender-based violence and child maltreatment in sport, Rulofs notes early resistance to research on these topics by a number of sport organizations in Germany. It is noted that inquiry in these areas, anchored in feminist advocacy, always had the challenge and opportunity to have research that illuminates harm and facilitates prevention policies. Continuing challenges come for research in illuminating harmful practices in a way that will overcome often entrenched apathy in sport clubs and associations. In the future, research on gender-based violence and child maltreatment in sport needs to close important gaps; foremost, evaluation research needs stimulation and there is a companion need internationally for comparative studies. Care in shaping this agenda is needed such that attention to child maltreatment does not dilute continued attention to gender power relation issues, sexual harassment and abuse.