Are Some Sports Riskier for Interpersonal Violence? New Insights from Recent Research
Date: April 2025
Together with three colleagues – Dr. Nina Solvberg, Professor Jarl Kampen and Professor Melanie Lang, we have published a study in the International Review for the Sociology of Sport. The paper sheds fresh light on how different types of sports relate to young athletes’ experiences of interpersonal violence.
Drawing on responses from nearly 10,000 adults across six European countries, the study explored whether factors such as sport type (team vs individual), the type of clothing worn during sport, and the sport’s weight-sensitivity influenced the risk of experiencing neglect, psychological abuse, physical violence, or sexual violence before the age of 18.
The key findings include:
- Higher risks in team sports: Participants who grew up playing team sports were significantly more likely to report experiences of all forms of interpersonal violence compared to those in individual sports. This finding points to the role of group dynamics, peer culture, and authority structures in creating vulnerability.
- Non-revealing attire linked to more violence: Contrary to widespread assumptions, participants in sports where non-revealing attire is worn reported more incidents of violence than those in sports with body-revealing clothing. The study suggests that it is not the exposure of the body that creates risk, but rather the social and cultural environment around the sport.
- Greater risk in less weight-sensitive sports: Athletes involved in sports not traditionally associated with weight management (e.g., ball sports) reported higher rates of interpersonal violence than those in weight-sensitive sports like gymnastics or martial arts.
- Gender differences: Male participants consistently reported higher exposure to all forms of interpersonal violence than female participants, emphasizing the need to address violence risks for boys and young men, not only girls and young women.
The results highlight that interpersonal violence is not confined to specific disciplines or demographics. Rather, risk factors are embedded in the social and organisational characteristics of sports environments.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence calling for nuanced, context-specific safeguarding approaches that are sensitive to the realities of different sports cultures and structures. It also challenges some persistent myths — for example, that body-revealing attire increases risk — and points towards the importance of addressing systemic, relational, and environmental factors to prevent harm.
The full study is available in the International Review for the Sociology of Sport and provides further recommendations for research, policy, and practice.