Gender Differences in Sports-Related Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review synthesized studies comparing sports-related child maltreatment across genders among people who participated in organized sports before age 18. Searches identified 22 eligible studies from 509 unique articles. Girls reported higher rates of neglect, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse, whereas boys reported higher rates of physical abuse. Patterns also differed in reported perpetrators and disclosure recipients. Severe outcomes and concerns about underreporting were shared across genders. The review highlights variation across maltreatment subtypes and identifies gaps in measurement and understanding of disclosure.

Key findings

• Girls reported higher rates of sports-related neglect, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse; boys reported higher rates of physical abuse.
• Boys more often reported peer-perpetrated violence and disclosures to coaches; girls more often reported coach-perpetrated violence and disclosures to parents.
• Severe outcomes and concerns about underreporting were reported across genders.
• Of 509 unique articles identified, 22 met the review’s inclusion criteria.

Why it matters

Maltreatment in organized sport may take different forms and involve different perpetrators and disclosure pathways across genders. Recognizing these patterns can inform how safeguarding and reporting systems are designed, while shared concerns about severe outcomes and underreporting underscore the importance of addressing maltreatment across all groups and subtypes.

What to keep in mind

The review describes the evidence as fragmented and calls for consistent measurement tools; its findings are limited to studies comparing quantitative measures across genders.