A comprehensive investigation into workplace conditions within Britain’s premier sporting institutions has uncovered disturbing patterns of sexual abuse and harassment affecting female professionals. Released on January 21st, the research examined experiences across various roles, from coaching positions to administrative functions, revealing systemic failures in protecting women employed throughout the industry.
The anonymous study attracted 260 participants from the Women’s Sport Collective, encompassing diverse professional backgrounds including former competitors, television producers, legal professionals, and physiotherapists. These respondents provided detailed accounts of their workplace experiences over the preceding five-year period, painting a troubling picture of the environment facing women in British elite athletics.
Alarming prevalence of workplace sexual misconduct
The research findings present a stark reality for female professionals navigating careers in high-performance sporting environments. An overwhelming proportion of survey participants—specifically 88%—reported experiencing at least one form of sexual misconduct within workplace settings during the five-year observation period. This staggering figure underscores the pervasive nature of inappropriate behavior throughout the industry.
The study categorized problematic behaviors into three distinct classifications to better understand the scope and severity of incidents. Sexual harassment emerged as the most commonly reported experience, affecting 87% of respondents. Meanwhile, 40% of participants disclosed experiencing sexual assault, demonstrating that misconduct frequently escalates beyond verbal or psychological abuse. Most disturbingly, five individuals—representing 2% of the sample—reported being raped in contexts connected to their professional duties but occurring outside primary workplace locations.
Researcher Lindsey Simpson, who designed and conducted the investigation, emphasized that while these statistics confirm widely understood realities among female professionals in sport, documenting them formally serves a critical purpose. Her academic background, combining undergraduate studies in sport and recreation with postgraduate specialization in workplace health and wellbeing, informed her methodological approach. Simpson explained that quantifying anecdotal experiences provides essential evidence for understanding both the magnitude and specific characteristics of the problem facing the industry.
Vulnerable populations face disproportionate risks
Analysis of survey responses revealed particularly concerning patterns among participants with disabilities. Of the six reported rape incidents documented in the study, three involved women who identified as having a disability. Given that only 19 survey participants identified within this category, the statistical disparity became impossible to ignore. Disabled women working in elite sport demonstrated substantially higher rates of sexual violence compared to any other demographic subgroup examined in the research.
Simpson acknowledged that the sample size limitations prevented comprehensive intersectional analysis across all demographic variables. However, the pronounced vulnerability of disabled women demanded specific attention and further investigation. The findings suggest that physical or cognitive disabilities may increase exposure to predatory behavior or reduce access to protective mechanisms within sporting organizations.
| Category of misconduct | Percentage affected | Key vulnerability factors |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual harassment | 87% | Power imbalances, male-dominated environments |
| Sexual assault | 40% | Isolated work contexts, lack of oversight |
| Rape | 2% | Disability status, work-related travel situations |
Perpetrator patterns and institutional responses
The survey examined perpetrator demographics to establish evidence-based understanding of who commits sexual misconduct in sporting workplaces. Among respondents who identified experiencing inappropriate behavior, 93% indicated that perpetrators were male in all or most instances. While research extensively documents men’s disproportionate representation among sexual violence perpetrators, Simpson deliberately included this question to prevent assumptions and ensure visibility for women experiencing misconduct from other women.
Confidence in institutional responses proved alarmingly low throughout the survey population. Only 38% of participants expressed positive sentiments regarding governing bodies addressing workplace sexual misconduct. Employer confidence fared slightly better but remained concerning, with just 46% expressing favorable views—and merely 29% feeling “absolutely” confident in their employers’ handling of these issues. A substantial proportion—26%—expressed no opinion, potentially reflecting disengagement or uncertainty about organizational commitment.
These confidence metrics suggest fundamental failures in institutional accountability and protection mechanisms. The gap between widespread misconduct experiences and limited faith in organizational responses indicates that current policies and procedures fail to adequately address the problem or support affected women.
Industry-wide implications and necessary actions
The research carries significant ramifications extending beyond individual experiences to affect organizational functioning and industry sustainability. Simpson’s analysis identified several critical areas demanding immediate attention from sporting institutions :
- Legal and criminal implications—numerous reported behaviors constitute criminal offenses requiring appropriate response protocols
- Risk assessment deficiencies—organizations failing to implement adequate protective measures expose themselves to legal liability and reputational damage
- Talent retention challenges—pervasive misconduct undermines recruitment and retention of qualified female professionals
- Diversity and inclusion obstacles—unsafe environments prevent achievement of gender equity goals and balanced power structures
- Commercial consequences—negative publicity and legal costs associated with misconduct affect organizational viability
Simpson emphasized that the research should validate experiences of women who have encountered sexual misconduct in their sporting careers. By demonstrating that such experiences represent the majority rather than isolated incidents, the study legitimizes concerns and reinforces the necessity for vigilance. The documentation of widespread patterns transforms individual experiences into collective evidence demanding systemic change.
The report ultimately serves as both documentation of current failures and a call for comprehensive reform. Simpson expressed hope that organizations would utilize these findings to implement meaningful protective measures, improve reporting mechanisms, and create genuinely safe working environments. Addressing this crisis requires acknowledging its scope, committing resources to prevention, and establishing accountability structures that prioritize women’s safety throughout elite British sport.