France’s Ongoing Battle Against Sexual Misconduct in Sports: 2023 Update

In 2023, France’s sports minister announced that over 300 French coaches, teachers, and sports officials have been accused of sexual abuse or covering up such crimes. This revelation comes after a nationwide effort was launched to uncover and combat sexual violence in sports in response to the disclosure by French skating champion Sarah Abitbol that she had been raped by her coach as a teen athlete.

Since 2020, there have been 1,284 complaints filed against coaches, teachers, and sports officials, leading to 186 facing criminal proceedings and 624 being sanctioned. The majority of these cases involved women and girls as victims, with men being the primary perpetrators. The abuse encompassed various forms of misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, and violence, affecting 45 sports federations across the country.

In 2023 alone, there were 377 complaints filed targeting 293 coaches and teachers along with 15 sports officials. Of those accused, 36 have faced criminal charges while 176 have been removed from their positions. Local investigations continue to uncover and address additional cases of abuse or its concealment.

Abitbol’s case serves as a prominent example of the prevalence of sexual abuse in the sports sector. Her coach faced charges of sexual assault dating back to the early 1990s. The ongoing investigation and increased awareness of such misconduct underscore the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding athletes and addressing abuse within the sports community.

The nationwide effort launched in response to Abitbol’s disclosure has led to significant progress in combating sexual violence in sports in France. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that athletes are safe from harm and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

As a result of this effort, there has been an increase in awareness about the issue among parents, athletes, coaches and other stakeholders within the sporting community.

In conclusion France’s commitment towards ensuring safety for all its citizens is commendable as it continues its efforts towards rooting out sexual misconduct within its sporting community