Sexual violence occurs in all areas of children and young people’s lives – including in sport. But sexual child abuse in popular and competitive sports is largely taboo. At the 4th public hearing of the Independent Commission to Deal with Child Sexual Abuse last week, those affected and other experts from sport, politics and science spoke about their experiences.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Andresen, chairwoman of the commission, explained: “Almost 100 people have contacted us who have been affected themselves or who have reported child sexual abuse in sports as relatives, friends or employees in clubs. Every single one of these stories is important. The knowledge and experiences of those affected are central to the recovery in sport. The commission expects those responsible in sport to recognize and implement the right of adults affected today to come to terms with it.”
The commission's core objectives include: 1. removing taboos from the topic, 2. establishing independent contact points, 3. recognizing the consequences of sexualized violence, 4. access to help and support, 5. independent processing of past cases in sports institutions
DEB-Speaker Julia Eisenrieder took part in this hearing and gave some succinct impressions. “Hearing the individual experiences and stories of those affected once again confirmed to me that we must make our sport as safe as possible for children and young people, but also adults. But that can only be done together,” emphasizes Eisenrieder. Against this background, it cannot be emphasized often enough that “sexual violence can no longer be a taboo topic. In this case, silence protects the perpetrators. Every club must be aware that sexual assaults can also occur in their own facility.”
On this point, Eisenrieder refers to the German Sports Youth (DSJ), which clearly proclaims: “It is not the fact that sexual assaults occur in one's own institution that discredits an institution, but rather the unprofessional way in which it is handled.” For him DEB Reliability is a key guideline in this regard. "We as DEB support our clubs and those affected. We show ways of prevention and intervention and are a contact point for cases of sexual violence in ice hockey," says Eisenrieder and urges you to get in touch: "If you are aware of sexual violence or something bad has happened to you, please contact us - please do not hesitate to contact us also anonymous – under wirzusehenhin@deb-online.de. We can help you and we take you seriously.”
Further information on this important topic can be found here: https://www.deb-online.de/service/psg/
Cover photo: Dominic Pencz
Photo Julia Eisenrieder: Julian Kröhl