In 2023, France’s sports minister announced that over 300 coaches, teachers, and sports officials have been implicated in cases of sexual abuse or covering up such incidents in the country. This was revealed during a news conference in Paris where the latest annual report on the investigation was presented.
The efforts to combat sexual violence in sports in France began four years ago after French skating champion Sarah Abitbol disclosed in a book that she was raped by her coach when she was a teen athlete. Since then, there have been 1,284 complaints filed against coaches, teachers, and sports officials, leading to criminal proceedings against 186 individuals and sanctions affecting 624 others.
The majority of the victims were women and girls, with approximately 81% of those accused of abuse being men. Various forms of abuse were reported across the country and within 45 different sports federations. In 2023 alone, complaints were lodged against 377 individuals, with 293 of them being coaches and teachers, 15 sports officials, and the remainder holding minor administrative roles. Thirty-six individuals faced criminal proceedings, while 176 were removed from their positions either temporarily or permanently. Additional local investigations are ongoing.
Abitbol’s case prompted significant attention to the issue of sexual abuse in sports in France. Her former coach Gilles Beyer is facing preliminary charges of sexual assault as the investigation continues.
