Webinar: Sexual violence and abuse in sport from grassroots to elite (September 2022)

A webinar with guest speakers Erik Denison (Behavioural Science Researcher, Monash University) and Alison Quigley (2021 ANZSLA Scholarship recipient, Doctoral candidate in law) discussing sexual violence and abuse in sport from grassroots to elite.

Erik uses Canadian Hockey as a case study and explains why it's only a matter of time before we have a similar situation in Australia. The Canadian Government has frozen Hockey Canada's funding following evidence of cover-ups of sexual abuse and assaults. Erik was one of 28 academics who sent a two-page letter outlining their concerns with the current leadership of "Canada's Game." (Read the letter) here is the link: http://hockeyabuseopenletter.com/

Erik details the urgent need for action to fix the gaps in Government oversight of children's and adult sports in Australia. Like Canada, the need for meaningful action to mitigate risk factors for sexual and physical abuse has been largely ignored by governments, despite being repeatedly documented by studies and inquiries. 

Alison discusses abuse in gymnastics, with a focus on harms against the child athlete.  This session was introduced by Dr Annette Greenhow, ANZSLA Board.