Exploring Stakeholders' Interpretations of Safe Sport. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gurgis, Joseph John; Kerr, Gretchen; Battaglia, Anthony
• Is Part Of: Journal of sport and social issues. Volume 47:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: safe sport -- safeguarding -- human rights -- safety -- optimising sport; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 796.05
• DOI: 10.1177/01937235221134610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-7235

Abstract

In response to numerous highly publicized cases of athlete maltreatment, sport organizations have developed prevention and intervention strategies under the umbrella term of Safe Sport; however, confusion exists about what it does and does not encompass. To better understand what Safe Sport encompasses, this study sought to develop a conceptual framework of Safe Sport, informed by the perspectives of various stakeholders in sport. Using a social constructivist grounded theory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty-one participants, including athletes, coaches, sport administrators, and researchers. The results are interpreted to suggest that participants' understanding of Safe Sport are informed by three overarching themes: environmental and physical safety, relational safety, and optimising sport, all of which are viewed as continuously evolving relative to the ever-changing context of sport and broader society. Recommendations are made to optimise sport experiences and thus prevent physical and psychological harms through a safeguarding approach that prioritizes the promotion of human rights.