How you can empower youth to help prevent gender-based violence in sports

As someone who works with young athletes, you’re a trusted mentor and role model. Whether you’re guiding them through challenges on the field or helping them navigate life, you have a voice that matters. Because of this, you’re in a unique position to have tough conversations with them, which includes discussing gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence, or GBV, is any act of violence based on someone’s gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. When we give young people the tools and terms to understand, identify, and approach GBV, we empower them to stand up against it. Let’s explore some strategies and key terms to help youth identify and address gender-based violence.

Using the calling out vs calling in method

Working with youth, you know how important it is to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels like they belong. This means knowing how to respond to harmful behaviours like prejudice, discrimination, or unfair treatment. Knowing how to respond can help set expectations around behaviour and language on and off the field or court.

Two terms you should know are “calling out” and “calling in.”

Calling out means publicly addressing bias or discrimination to hold someone accountable and challenge their beliefs. This tactic is useful when immediate action is needed to stop harm.

Calling in means having a private conversation with the person who caused harm to encourage them to listen and learn. This approach works well when the goal is to educate without shaming.

What calling out and calling in looks like in action:

As a coach, there may be a situation where a team member makes a comment or “joke” that perpetuates stereotypes or bias.

• If this athlete becomes aggressive, repeatedly makes these types of comments, or exhibits particularly harmful behaviour, you might choose to call it out by saying, “This type of language isn’t acceptable on our team.”
• If this athlete makes an offhanded remark or doesn’t typically behave this way, you might call it in by addressing them personally. Ask if you can talk about what they said – let them know you want to understand where they’re coming from and share how their behaviour could affect others.

How to safely intervene if you witness gender-based violence

As a coach, you may see or hear about instances of gender-based violence where youth need support. Knowing how to intervene safely and effectively can make a big difference in preventing further harm. Here are some methods you might use to intervene:

Distract: Interrupt the situation by engaging the person being mistreated. Try asking them something random, like for their help to put equipment away or bringing up something unrelated.

Delegate: Ask for help from someone else, such as another coach, a teacher, or someone in a position of authority.

Delay: If it isn’t safe to check in right away, check in later. Ask them how they’re doing and let them know you’re there to help.

Direct: Address harmful behaviour head-on, but only if it’s safe. Let the aggressor know their comments or behaviour aren’t appropriate.

Document: Record or write down what happened if it’s safe to do so to hold the perpetrator accountable. The footage may be used as proof to bring to relevant authorities (like your school, league, or association). Never post or share the video without consent from the victim.

Key terms to know

Giving youth the language to understand and talk about gender-based violence helps empower them. Below are some keywords that you can introduce so they can identify these experiences.

Allyship: When someone with power or privilege supports those treated unfairly.

Bias: A preference for or against a particular thing, person, or group compared to another, which we may be aware (overt) or unaware (covert) of.

Coercion: Pressuring or manipulating someone into doing something against their will through forces, threats, or lies.

Consent: Freely giving permission to or agreeing to something with full understanding. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Power: The ability to influence or control others and the resources that shape their lives.

Privilege: Unearned advantages based on race, gender, or class, leading to unequal opportunities.

Trauma: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms someone’s ability to cope, resulting in long-lasting psychological, emotional, and physical effects.

Resources available to you

By talking about gender-based violence, you’re doing your part to empower young athletes to speak out against it. These conversations aren’t always easy, but they’re essential for creating safer and more inclusive spaces for everyone. Let’s work together to dismantle GBV by creating a system of respect, empathy, and equality.

More resources, tools, and activities about gender-based violence for young people are available online.

In case of emergency

If a young athlete is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services. Your role is to ensure their safety. Remember to stay calm, listen without judgment, and let them know help is available. If it’s not an emergency but they need support, connect them with a trusted resource, such as a local crisis line or support organization.