How do representatives from sporting organisations understand primary prevention of violence against women?

Abstract

Sports settings have been identified as important locations for the prevention of violence against women, with numerous prevention initiatives currently running in many sports internationally. However, little is known about how those involved in sporting organisations, who are often tasked with delivering such initiatives, conceptualise the prevention of violence against women. This research draws on a survey of people who were invited to participate if they had professional experience in the development or delivery of violence prevention programs in their sporting organisation. We found that a cohort of participants had a limited understanding of primary prevention and how it applies to the prevention of violence against women through sport. Broadly, they were not aware of the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary prevention techniques. These findings suggest that there is a need for better education of those working in sporting organisations about the nature of primary prevention of violence against women as well as deeper consideration of the complex nature of doing violence prevention work through sport.