• Charles Sturt University academics have published a policy brief on online gender-based violence against women and girls in sport
• The brief outlines 33 recommendations for global sporting organisations, online platforms and governments
• The brief is the first of a series by the Global Observatory for Gender Equality in Sport

Charles Sturt University academics are helping eliminate online gender-based violence against women and girls in sport through a recently published policy brief.

Associate Head of the Charles Sturt School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sport Science Associate Professor Chelsea Litchfield (picture left) and Course Director of Exercise and Sport Science Dr Jaquelyn Osborne (pictured right), also in the School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sport Science, were invited to contribute to the first brief of a series by the Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, along with two colleagues from the United Kingdom.

The Global Observatory, which is supported by organisations like UNESCO, published the brief titled ‘Online Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls in Sport’, as part of the broader Policy Brief Series aiming to provide concise research analysis and research-based recommendations to policy actors across government and sport governance bodies.

The policy brief suggests that the issue is far-reaching and incidents can be incredibly damaging to a victim of this form of violence.

Professor Litchfield and Dr Osborne explained that online gender-based violence (GBV) in sport curtails the rights of women and girls, impacts on their liberty and poses a significant threat to their health, safety and wellbeing.

“This is a global societal problem that demands proactive solutions and should be recognised as a significant and direct threat to the safety of recipients and those exposed to such violence through online platforms,” they said.

“While violence experienced through social media platforms has gained significant attention more recently, a glaring omission in the current body of work is the reality that online mechanisms of abuse are numerous and include, but are not limited to, cyber-bullying, child sexual grooming, online coercion, coercive control and online-stalking; all of which require greater attention and research within the sport context.”

Professor Litchfield and Dr Osborne added that online GBV can present in varied forms.

“It could be sexually explicit language, unpleasant remarks or social criticism connected to gender, gendered-microaggressions and sexual allusions through to exaggerated rape and murder threats and stalking,” they said.

“These violent interactions can be text or image-based and can target individuals directly or even their loved ones.”

The policy briefing makes several recommendations for global sporting organisations, online platforms and governments who have a moral obligation to foster safer online communities.

The brief outlines a total of 33 recommendations, ranging from simply recognising that GBV is a public health crisis, through to specific government action in the form of collection and analysis of national GBV data which tracks online GBV incidences and prevalence.

Professor Litchfield and Dr Osborne said online GBV in all forms contributes to an emerging form of anxiety for women and girls that requires specific attention, and therefore is a global health crisis.

“While acknowledging the intricate global dynamics of online violence, which transcend geographical boundaries and are influenced by diverse cultural norms, policies and legal frameworks, it is imperative to address the issue of safeguarding in online spaces due to their increasing significance in society,” they said.

The full policy brief and list of recommendations can be read online.