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The potential of restorative justice in advancing safe sport

The International Sports Law Journal (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

This article introduces the potential application of restorative justice in addressing sexual violence and abuse in sport. The suggested framework aims to strengthen existing safeguarding measures in sport organisations. Without proper oversight, abuses within the sport industry are often unidentified, concealed by various stakeholders, resulting in victims suffering much pain. Such suffering, however, contradicts any sporting goals, as abuse tends to result in long-term trauma, permanently scarring the victim, and potentially affecting their performance in sports. Exploring the situation from a victim’s perspective, this article discusses restorative justice, a theory of justice that places the victim at the centre of the resolution model. Restorative justice, which gained its popularity within the criminal justice system, has evolved over time. The principles, values and practices have been applied in various situations, including organisations. Though restorative justice is frequently used to address the aftermath of a conflict or a crime, this article suggests incorporating restorative justice in advancing safe sport.

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Notes

  1. Borumandnia et al. (2020); Dworkin et al. (2021)

  2. Stöckl et al. (2021).

  3. World Health Organisation (2018).

  4. Lang et al. (2021).

  5. https://sport.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/gender-based-violence-sport-study-2016_en.pdf

  6. Acquaviva et al. (2021).

  7. Longman (2019).

  8. Timmerman (2004); World Health Organisation (2013).

  9. Olafson (2011).

  10. Timpka et al. (2021).

  11. Acquaviva et al. (2021).

  12. Article 222-33 of the French Criminal Code.

  13. Brackenridge (2001).

  14. Alexander et al. (2011), p.61.

  15. Koontz et al. (2021), p.1.

  16. Vertommen et al. (2016).

  17. Leahy et al. (2002).

  18. Ohlert et al. (2018).

  19. Alexander et al. (2011).

  20. Volkwein et al. (1997).

  21. Toftegaard Nielsen (2001).

  22. Brackenridge (2001).

  23. Gage (2009).

  24. Sánchez et al. (2021).

  25. 23-item Sexual Experiences Questionnaire-Department of Defense (SEQ-DoD), part of the Status of the Armed Forces Survey: 1995 Form B-Gender Issues (U.S. Department of Defense, 1995).

  26. Koss et al. (2007).

  27. Hartill (2009).

  28. Brackenridge et al. (2011).

  29. Leahy et al. (2002).

  30. Sport Australia, formally the Australian Sports Commission, is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport in Australia. The commission is composed of Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.

  31. Marshall (1999), p.37.

  32. O’Brien (2007)

  33. Koss (2013).

  34. Blackley and Bartels (2018).

  35. ibid.

  36. Fox (2013).

  37. Wilson et al. (2009).

  38. Duwe (2018).

  39. Braithwaite (1989).

  40. Braithwaite (2002).

  41. Abdul Rahim (2017).

  42. Goodstein and Aquino (2010).

  43. Salm and Sefiha (2021).

  44. ibid.

  45. European Union (2012), Art. 12.

  46. 2017 toolkit

  47. Mountjoy et al. (2015).

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  1. Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore, Singapore

    Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim

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  1. Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim
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Abdul Rahim, R.B. The potential of restorative justice in advancing safe sport. Int Sports Law J (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40318-022-00218-1

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Keywords

  • Safeguarding
  • Sport
  • Sexual violence
  • Abuse
  • Restorative justice
  • Trauma