Citation

Teasley ML, Gill E. Child. Sch. 2015; 37(1): 4-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, National Association of Social Workers [USA], Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/cs/cdu032

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sport participation is one hallmark of American childhood and adolescence. Approximately 25 million children and adolescents play competitive sports within schools and 30 to 45 million participate in at least one school or community-based athletic program (NYU Child Study Center, 2010). Young people who participate in sports earn higher grades, manage their time better, make quicker decisions, and experience better professional outcomes when compared with their nonathlete peers (Engle & Gurian, 2004). Because of the mentorship, time spent, and attention given, coaches contribute enormously to the development of student-athletes. Primary and secondary school coaches might have an even greater influence over student-athletes because, in many cases, they are also their teachers. The occurrence of sexual abuse among youths, particularly those in junior high and high school participating in school sports, is a phenomenon that has received very little attention from school social workers and other related service personnel. Despite the reality that millions of children and adolescents participate in sports yearly, there is little written within the research literature on the role of related services personnel on how to protect children and adolescents from sexual abuse at the hands of teachers who serve as coaches, sports administrators, and other school-affiliated authority figures. Similarly, despite the reality that teachers, in every state, are mandated reporters, many are uneasy about making accusations against their colleagues. We know little empirically about the challenge of sexual abuse occurring between authority figures and youths in schools, yet local news outlet throughout the nation do report its occurrence and allegations. This prompts the need for greater research, education, and enhanced awareness on the topic. School social workers should be aware of the signs, symptoms, and procedures for reporting sexual abuse between authority figures in school and youths.

Language: en