The Gender Harassment Experiences of Women Who Play, Coach, Officiate and Manage Sport in Australia

Abstract

Sport remains a male-dominated industry despite increasing numbers of women participating and working in a variety roles and contexts. In many sports, women report negative experiences and face gendered challenges as elite players, community players, coaches and referees. This case study of one Australian sport builds on the concept of gender regimes to examine experiences of gender harassment of women in a variety of roles. Gender harassment is sometimes overlooked as one of the dimensions of sexual harassment, but it nevertheless marginalises women and contributes to creating unsafe environments. Despite the presence of women in leadership positions, as coaches, referees and on boards, gender harassment occurred. Women in overt positions of power experienced more gender harassment than other roles, while off-court officials and managers reported the fewest incidences of gender harassment. These findings suggest that women in power continue to face harassment, as they violate traditional notions of leadership, providing clear policy implications. Younger women aged 18–29 also reported higher incidences of gender harassment than all other age groups. Dismantling masculine hegemony in sport and advancing gender equality, including educating stakeholders on the importance of gender equality, should be a priority to reduce harm against women in sport.