French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra revealed that over 300 coaches, teachers, and sports officials in France have been implicated in sexual abuse or covering up such misconduct in 2023. This alarming trend prompted a nationwide initiative to address sexual violence in sports following revelations by Sarah Abitbol, a prominent French figure skater, who disclosed being raped by her coach during her teenage years.
Since 2020, a total of 1,284 complaints have been lodged against individuals in positions of authority within the sports realm. Of these, 186 are facing criminal charges, while 624 have received sanctions ranging from temporary suspensions to permanent bans.
The majority of victims, accounting for 81%, were identified as women and girls, with a significant portion of the accused, 90%, being men. The reported abuses encompassed a range of offenses including sexual assault, harassment, and other forms of violence, implicating 45 different sports federations across the country.
In the latest developments of 2023, 377 individuals were subject to complaints, with 293 being coaches or teachers, 15 identified as sports officials, and the remainder holding minor administrative roles. Notably, 36 individuals have been prosecuted, 176 have been removed from their positions, and ongoing local investigations are underway to address additional cases.
Abitbol's account of being sexually assaulted by her coach Gilles Beyer between 1990 and 1992 has led to preliminary charges of sexual assault against Beyer, with the investigation still ongoing. The revelations have underscored the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard athletes and prevent further instances of abuse within the sports community.
