Engaging with Cultural Sport Psychology to Explore Systemic Sexual Exploitation in USA Gymnastics: A Call to Commitments

Abstract

In this article, we engage with cultural sport psychology (CSP) to explore sexual exploitation in USA Gymnastics. Specifically, using critical reflexivity on the Larry Nassar case, we bring to life how systemic abuse in sport is more than a tragedy. We argue that perpetration of abuse persists in sport spaces largely because athletes train and compete in relations of force that privilege structures and practices to which athletes are subordinate. A return to recenter discussions on the significance of oppression and power in the larger discourse and ethical practice of CSP became imperative with the news of U.S. doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual predation. As tools in our advocacy for the reduction of sport sexism and sexual exploitation and abuse, we offer four ethical commitments to the field as we examine the ways systemic gendered violence and oppressions in sport are perpetrated in systems, decision-making, and every practices. We invite CSP scholars and sport psychology practitioners to interrogate and disrupt systemic intersectional disempowerment and cultures of sexual exploitation.

Notes

1 Although in this article we center Nassar’s predation, assault, and abuse of elite female athletes, we would be remiss if we did not note that an elite male athlete has accused Nassar of abuse (Bieler, 2018) and that elite male athletes are targets as well.

2 On March 27, 2018, sexual misconduct charges were filed against Dr. Nassar’s former MSU boss and dean—Dr. William Strampel—who was arrested on March 26, 2018 (Madani & Vagianos, 2018).