Thoughts from myself & @AureliePanko on the episode of The Ticket by @TraceyLeeHolmes which talked about the abuse reports w/in the Matildas team.
It's important to discuss cases of abuse in sport to break the silence & taboo but HOW we talk about it is equally as important. 1/6
It's important to discuss cases of abuse in sport to break the silence & taboo but HOW we talk about it is equally as important. 1/6
https://twitter.com/TraceyLeeHolmes/status/1447031893078073349
First, it was disappointing that the show was bookended by Qs around @lisadevanna11 's supposedly 'complex' personality & potential frustrations over a forced retirement. These comments aren't only unnecessary & irrelevant but are also damaging. 2/6
Framing an athlete's story of abuse in this way, asks the public to question the motives of devanna in speaking up, suggesting her story is one purely of revenge.While motivation can provide important context, when framed this way it detracts attn from the reports of abuse. 3/6
. @SimoneFullagar's explanation of key terms (grooming heterosexism & homophobia) are critical to frame problematic discourses around stereotypes of women's sport & sexuality. We must ensure the correct terms are used in an appropriate manner when discussing abuse in sport. 4/6
The end of the episode highlighted the views of a current Mathilda and was by far the most concerning. There's no place to shame, question, victim blame and threaten those athletes that break the silence around abuse in sport. 5/6
When victims of abuse are blamed and reprimanded for speaking, not only does it hurt them, it also silences anyone else who might have considered speaking out. If we really want sport to be safe for everyone, if we really want things to change, we need to hear these voices 6/6
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