Sexual Harassment in Sports in India

Sexual harassment in sports in India is at an all-time high. In June this year, an Indian cyclist filed a complaint with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The cyclist has accused their coach, R K Sharma, of sexual harassment in Slovenia in May 2022. The complaint details the sexual advancements and outrageous comments made by the coach.

According to the complaint, the coach “forced” himself into the cyclist’s room, suggested giving her a “post-training massage,” offered her to “sleep with him,” and become his wife because she did not have a future in sports. Both the SAI and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) have created a panel to investigate the charges.

The abovementioned incident endorses the claim of predatorial behaviour and instances of misogyny in the sports industry. It also elaborates how coaches — mentors and purveyors of wisdom and knowledge — create an intimidating and fearful atmosphere. However, the incident is not new. The statistics for sexual harassment in sports in India are harrowing.

Sexual Harassment in Sports Statistics

According to the data obtained in 2020 by The Indian Express, 45 complaints of sexual harassment have been registered in the past 10 years. Out of these, 29 complaints have been filed against coaches. In February 2019, a parliamentary committee constituted for the empowerment of women indicated that the incidents of sexual harassment in sports can be higher as they often go unreported.

In January 2020, an FIR was registered against a coach for allegedly harassing a woman cricketer. In July 2021, seven sportspersons accused renowned coach P Nagarajan of sexual harassment. He already had a complaint filed against him and was reportedly abusing athletes for years. He had also threatened the athletes to cease their training. These incidents, however, only form part of an extensive and deeply-rooted system of harassing women sportspersons.

Are Sports Institutes and Events Workplaces?

Women athletes are placed at a higher risk of sexual harassment in sports. Factors such as unquestionable compliance with coaching methods, long training periods away from public scrutiny, and supervision that discourages individual and independent judgment are all responsible for this increased risk that make women athletes a vulnerable minority.

The term ‘workplace’ in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (PoSH) Act, 2013 is broadly defined and also liberally interpreted by the judiciary. According to Section 2(o)(iv) of the Act, “any sports institute, stadium, sports complex or competitions or games venue, whether residential or not used for training, sports or other activities relating thereto” is a workplace.

The workplace is the Act’s central term. The terms ‘employer’ (Section 2(g)) and ‘employee’ (Section 2(f)) are defined in relation to it. An employer is a person in charge of the “management, supervision, and control” of the workplace. The employer is liable to form an Internal Committee (IC) for the workplace.

India’s various sports federations and other governing bodies are employers in relation to sports facilities, venues for competitions and events, hostels, and games villages, to name a few workplaces in sports. Therefore, as per the law, these employers are obligated to establish an IC to investigate and inquire into sexual harassment allegations made by athletes and sportspersons.

Also Read: National Sports Day: safety in sports for women?

Why does Sexual Harassment in Sports happen?

Unsurprisingly, authorities are still passive regarding this pervasive problem. Even after an increase in the number of reported sexual harassment incidents, efforts are not being made to address the fundamental factors that cause sexual harassment.

Power Dynamics

The power dynamic between the athlete and the coach is undeniable. Factors such as money, age, opportunity, and gender ascertain the experiences of young sportspersons. In this teacher-student interaction, mentors’ expertise and experience serve as another source of institutional authority. 

The gender power disparity further exposes the athletes to risk because, in the majority of situations, coaches and trainers are older males who rely on their reputation and expertise. As a result, the athlete has no leverage and contributes to the culture of impunity that permeates all complaints of this nature.

Lack of Accountability

Frequently, cases of sexual harassment in sports do not see an outcome for various reasons such as false complaints or allegations, lack of evidence, or a settlement or compromise. Delay in the investigation of such complaints enables the perpetrators of such abuse to go untouched with nominal consequences. 

In January 2014, a coach was accused of kissing and groping girls at a training center. By the time SAI found him guilty three years later, he had already retired. He was punished with a 10% cut from his pension for one year.

Usually, the accused coaches are punished with transfers to a small cut in their pay. In other cases, investigations are still pending. The perspective of gender plays a significant role in the sexual harassment of athletes as well. Experts have also noted that women athletes who are often from humble backgrounds feel compelled to withdraw their complaints.

Questionable Independence of IC in Sports Institutes

The PoSH Act, 2013, requires that the IC should contain at least three members from the workplace. Employees may often find it difficult to provide an unbiased opinion and exercise independent judgment regarding a complaint. This difficulty elevates further when the colleague is a senior-level employee. 

However, in sports spaces, such a colleague may also play a pivotal role in interdependence that supports the entire structure of governance. Sports governing bodies should be aware of this shortcoming in the system and take action to support the independent judgment in their IC.

Steps to eliminate Sexual Harassment in Sports

Sexual harassment and assault committed against athletes and sportspersons should not be dismissed as inconsequential or insignificant as it is manifest at every level in the sports industry.

Eliminating Sexist Language

Eliminating sexist language from the sports industry is imperative. The notion that women cannot progress in sports is outdated and fundamentally wrong. Using such language degrades women athletes and leads to their exploitation. The language used in events, dormitories, centers, facilities, etc., must be monitored carefully. A person must also pay specific attention to the way they are referring to or talking to a woman athlete.

Prompt Action

Imposing swift and tough punishment on anyone who is found guilty of sexually harassing an athlete is also important. Regardless of who the perpetrator is, such punishment must be imposed equally. As stated earlier, punishment is nominal for those found guilty. Department officials often delay or stonewall investigations, particularly when they are against a renowned person in the sports industry.

Challenge the Idea of Male Dominance in Sports

Women continue to prove themselves in the sports arena. As long as the sport continues to be a proving ground for manhood and masculinity, it will continue to devalue and demean women. If a peaceful and encouraging environment is established in the sports industry, it will become more open and inviting for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Sexist notions and violence must be replaced with respect and appreciation for all athletes.

Sensitization and Awareness Programs

Sensitization programs and awareness sessions must be organized for sportspersons, athletes, coaches, and the administration in sports institutes and federations. We often overlook the ambit of the PoSH Act and only pay attention to its literal application. This defeats the purpose and the legislative intent of the Act.

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