Case studies
Which Canadian Olympic skier became a leader in Safe Sport reform?
Allison Forsyth
what is grooming?
A process where an abuser builds trust and control over an athlete to take advantage of them
Does Sexual assault only affect mental health?
No, it also affects the body
Name 2 mental health effects sexual abuse has on athletes
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, Panic attacks, nightmares, or flashbacks
Whats 1 reason athletes may be afraid to report Sexual abuse?
Fear they are not being believed, loss of playing time or damaging career
Why was the doctor involved in the USA Gymnastics abuse scandal?
Larry Nassar
What is the first stage of grooming?
Favouritism
What kind of physical harm may occur through punishment based training
Injuries, chronic pain, exhaustion, or long term health problems
How can trauma affect an athletes confidence or performance?
It can lower motivation, confidence, focus, and trust in others
Why are elite athletes more likely to stay silent about abuse?
Because they are made to feel replaceable and someone else will take their spot
The did Allison Forsyth say the sport system allowed abuse?
Because it protected reputation over athlete safety
How does favouritism make grooming hard to notice?
It can look like normal coaching or special treatment
What happens to the body when it stays in constant survival mode?
The body remains in fight or flight mode and cannot fully relax or recover
The does abuse in sport deeply affect an athletes identity?
Because sport is often their entire life and sense of self
What does it mean when sports organizations prioritize winning over athlete safety?
Medals, reputation, and money are valued more than protecting athletes
why is kyle Beech’s case considered a major institutional failure?
Because the organization stayed silence to protect their win and allowed further abuse to occur
What happens during the isolation stage?
The athlete is separated from teammates, friends, or family and becomes dependant on the abuser
Which system of the body is affected by long term trauma and stress?
The autonomic nervous system
What is secondary Trauma?
Trauma that occurs when survivors speak up but are ignored, dismissed, or not believed
What Is the bystander effect in sport?
When people know or suspect abuse is happeNing but do nothing about it
How did speaking out about athletes lead to real change?
It led to investigations, accountability, resignations, policy changes, and stronger safe sport systems
The does the final stage of grooming often lead to athletes to blame themselves
Because the abuser convinces them they arre responsible and threatens consequences if they tell
Name two long term physical effects caused by stress hormones like cortisol?
Fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, overactive stress response
The can being ignored after reporting be as damaging as the abuse itself?
Because it causes loss of trust, deep emotional harm, and feelings of being betrayed
Why does having reporting systems controlled by the same organization being accused cause problems?
Athletes lose trust and fear their report will be ignored or covered up