Men called on to join team raising awareness of gender-based violence through sport

Eva Osborne

More men are being called on to join a team tackling domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.

New survey findings published to launch Phase Two of the Game Changer project, a partnership between Gaelic Games, Ruhama and, White Ribbon Ireland, reveal the importance of engaging men and boys in combatting gender-based violence.

87 per cent of people in Ireland believe men have an important role to play in combatting gender-based inequality and violence.

41 per cent of women aged 18-34 in Ireland have experienced either sexual harassment, unsolicited sexual remarks, or felt a threat of gender-based intimidation or violence when taking part in sports or physical exercise.

In other settings, 77 per cent of 18-34-year-old women in Ireland have experienced being ‘cat called’ in the street; 70 per cent have been unwantedly stared or looked at in a sexually suggestive way by a stranger; 31 per cent have been stalked or followed; and 26 per cent have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

These are among the findings of a new nationally representative Red C survey of men and women in the State published on Monday to mark the launch of the second phase of the Game Changer project that aims to raise awareness and action through sport to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in Ireland.

The survey found that men in Ireland are less likely than women to view certain behaviours, including ‘cat calling’, being sent unsolicited sexual images, and being subject to unwanted sexual gestures or comments as rising to the level of sexual harassment, with this gap most pronounced amongst young men aged 18-34.

Further insights show that most Irish people have a low tolerance of sexual harassment, with 84 per cent feeling confident enough to intervene if they witness sexual harassment and 76 per cent claiming they would personally intervene.

However, the findings also show that a small proportion of younger men, aged 18-34, view harassment as a private matter (30 per cent), feel too awkward to intervene (29 per cent), or are less likely to see intervening as an obligation (17 per cent).

The survey also reveals the impact of sexual harassment on women who have experienced it in sports or physical exercise settings.

45 per cent of women who train regularly take a wide variety of precautions, such as not exercising at night (17 per cent), keeping their phone to hand (15 per cent), not exercising alone (9 per cent) and covering up in regard to what they wear (5 per cent), with a smaller number (4 per cent) reporting that they bring along something that could be used a weapon.

85 per cent of people believe that harassment and gender-based discrimination in sports has a negative impact on female athletes' performance.

The survey indicates that an overwhelming majority of people in Ireland support action by sports clubs and organisations, with 94 per cent agreeing that sports clubs and facilities should be safe spaces for women and girls, free from sexual and gender-based intimidation and violence.

Eighty-nine per cent agree that sporting organisations have an important role in combatting gender-based inequality and violence in society.

Community and health manager with the GAA, Colin Regan; chief executive of Ruhama, Barbara Condon; and Sean Cooke of White Ribbon Ireland, said: “Game Changer was created to help harness the power of Gaelic Games to address the insidious issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. This research reinforces the importance of what is a unique collaboration in an Irish sporting context.

“The Gaelic Games family acknowledges we are not subject matter experts in this field, and we will continue to be guided by White Ribbon Ireland and Ruhama as we move into the next phase of Game Changer.

"Phase Two entails a suite of e-learning content that will target audiences within our memberships, including players, coaches and officers, as well as a public awareness raising campaign.

“Work is also continuing on related rule, policy, and procedural frameworks within Gaelic Games, and we’re delighted to see almost universal support for the adult safeguarding motion passed at GAA congress last month. Replicate motions will be debated at LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) and Camogie congresses in the coming weeks.”