Vulnerability/prevention: Considering the needs of disabled and gay athletes in the context of sexual harassment and abuse

Abstract

We explore the role of programs for prevention for sexual harassment and abuse in sport in Canada, specifically in the Province of Quebec, by first describing the international sport context of sexual harassment and abuse and then considering the needs of disabled and gay athletes. We have found that there is little scientific literature on sexual harassment and abuse that focuses on the vulnerabilities of, or specific prevention measures for, disabled or LGBT athletes. Such gaps in the literature make it difficult to evaluate the full effectiveness of sexual harassment and abuse intervention programs. To highlight this issue, we describe some of the prevention programs in use in Canada, specifically in the Province of Quebec, and locate program gaps around athletes identified as vulnerable in both the international and Canadian contexts. Finally, we conclude by pressing the need for research and policy advocacy to close the prevention program gaps and to ensure protection is offered to all athletes, not just “mainstream” athletes

Keywords:

• sexual harassment
• prevention
• risks
• disability
• homophobia
• LGBT
• gay
• prevention
• gender