3.7 How children in sport can be particularly vulnerable to grooming and abuse
Sport provides very specific opportunities for abusers to groom children.
On an elite athlete pathway, there are many children (and parents) who see making it to the top of their sport as their ultimate goal – and this desire can be exploited. The pressure – even desperation – to achieve success means that many young athletes are already more vulnerable to all forms of abuse and exploitation.
This is even more significant for children who have lived difficult lives – the dream of a ‘way out’ makes them even more vulnerable.
The power of a sporting dream
Trigger warning
Listen to this testimony from Paul Stewart, a former professional footballer.
Consider the aspects of
Transcript
PAUL STEWART: These individuals are perceived as dream makers. They tell parents, they tell the child, that they can make them realise their dream. And whether that’s being a footballer, being an athlete, being a swimmer, they make promises of dreams and they actually say that they can help you fulfil your dream. And that’s the power that they have. I do then believe that these individuals hold the power in the palm of their hand to give and take away the only thing you ever wanted to be. And in my case, it was being a footballer.
Comment
The environment and dynamics in sport described here are exactly those that offer opportunities for grooming and abuse. Someone who seems to hold the key to an athlete getting to the top is in an incredibly powerful position over a child and their parent. In this way, sport offers specific opportunities for abusers to groom, abuse their position, and harm children. This may lead to sexual abuse, or to forcing children into other harmful actions, such as match fixing or doping.
In the next section, you consider why some children involved in sport are at greater risk of being targeted by abusers.
3.6 Grooming potential victims: Stages 1–6 explained
