Emotional and physical misconduct
Research shows that abuse and misconduct in sport can often happen because of differences in power. The most obvious example is the relationship between a coach, PE teacher, official and an athlete. But differences in power can also exist between athletes. For example, a team captain may have more influence than a new player. An athlete without a disability may have more social power than an athlete with a disability. When someone who causes harm has more power than the person affected, it can be difficult for the athlete to understand that what is happening is wrong or to ask for help. They may also feel that they are responsible or blame themselves for what happened. Understanding these power differences can help us recognise harmful situations and support athletes in getting the help they need.
Categories of Misconduct
Physical Misconduct
A coach, PE teacher or official acting intentionally to endanger or reasonably threaten to cause physical harm to an athlete, regardless of reason or motive behind the behavior
Emotional Misconduct
A coach, PE teacher or an official repeatedly and excessively using words or severe behaviors that negatively control, intimidate, demean, or harm athletes, damaging their self-esteem and causing them emotional distress.
Bullying Behaviour
Bullying Behaviour is repeated behaviour or a single, severe incident directed at or about someone . The behaviour is intended or likely to hurt, control, or tear down that person emotionally, physically, or sexually
Harrasment
Harassment is repeated or severe conduct that is directed at or about another person. It including insulting, humiliating, threatening or intimidating someone, making offensive comments or jokes, or repeatedly sending unwanted messages.
Hazing
Hazing is any conduct either physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that is intended or likely to abuse, degrade, intimidate, or put a person in danger in order to join or be socially accepted by a group.
Misconduct often overlaps or represents multiple categories
A coach, PE Teacher or an official repeatedly and excessively mocking an athlete who cannot compete because of an injury may be engaging in Emotional Misconduct; that same coach may be engaging in Physical Misconduct by forcing the athlete back into competition before they are medically cleared.
Interactions may first meet the criteria of one form of misconduct (such as Physical Misconduct) and evolve to also meet the criteria of others (such as Bullying Behaviour).
Even if you are unsure how to categorise a behaviour: Always report any behaviour that concerns you so that someone can follow up to assess whether a behaviour violates a policy.