Recognising Emotional Abuse in Sports

Definition of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the emotional maltreatment of a child, which has a severe and persistent negative effect on the child’s emotional development.

Emotional Abuse in a Sport or Activity Setting

Emotional abuse may be perpetrated by coaches, staff and volunteers, as well as other children and young people. This can take the form of:

• Subjecting a child to repeated criticism, sarcasm, name calling or racism.
• Ignoring or excluding a child.
• Pressuring a child to perform to unrealistically high expectations.
• Excessive weighing of children.
• Making a child feel like their value or worth is dependent on their sporting success.
• Bullying behaviour.

Sports coaches and volunteers can play an important role in recognising the signs of emotional abuse, responding to reports and concerns, and preventing instances of emotional abuse in a sports setting in the first place. They must also act as positive role models in their behaviour, conduct and treatment of others at all times to help create a safe, fun, inclusive environment for everyone.