ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author provides insight into her experiences in sport and the journey that led her to the study of gender-based violence in sport. The organisation of the book is described, including a section on historical perspectives of childhood and the making of elite child athletes. This is followed by a section on gender-based violence, and a review of the current state of knowledge on various forms of gender-based violence in sport and their effects. The third section of the book addresses the causes of gender-based violence in sport, including the misuse of power, the underpinning values of sport, policies, and the autonomy, self-regulating, nature of sport. The final section provides a vision of sport for children free of violence and driven by children’s rights and their developmental needs. To bring the issues of gender-based violence to life, each chapter begins with a case study, stemming from the author’s experiences as an athlete welfare officer, responsible for the receipt and investigation of complaints. Together, these real-life cases and the scholarly literature are integrated to highlight the human costs of gender-based violence on children.
