(Montreal and Ottawa) Approximately 40% of adolescents among 9,221 adolescents practicing organized sports in Quebec have been victims of at least one form of violence from a person in a position of authority, according to a study by the Institute of Statistics of Quebec published Thursday. In Ottawa, meanwhile, the government revealed the identity of the people who will lead the Commission on the Future of Sport.
According to this survey, 11% were victims of at least one act of physical violence, i.e. 13% of boys and 9% of girls.
Furthermore, 8% were victims of at least one act of sexual violence, i.e. 9% of girls and 6% of boys.
As for acts of psychological violence or neglect, 26% of survey respondents say they have suffered at least one.
The study on the experiences of adolescents in sporting environments in Quebec was conducted from November 7, 2022 to June 16, 2023 in Quebec public and private schools. Among the 19,642 young people arrested, 9,221 aged 14 and over play an organized sport (47%).
Among male victims of at least one act of physical violence from a person in authority, the majority (85%) indicated having suffered this violence from men.
Among female victims of at least one act of physical violence, 53% reported having suffered this violence from women, 36% from men and 11% from both.
Violence often occurs at a very young age. Among victims of at least one act of sexual violence (8%), 28% were victims for the first time at the age of 10 or before, 33% between 11 and 13 years old and 39%, at age 14 or later.
To this rampant violence suffered by a person in a position of authority is added the violence suffered from a peer. In this regard, almost half (45%) of respondents say they have been victims.
Commission on the Future of Sport
On the Ottawa side, federal Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough revealed the identity of the three members of the Commission on the Future of Sport in Canada.
Former Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice Lise Maisonneuve has been appointed commissioner. She will be supported by Noni Classen and Andrew Pipe as special advisors.
Minister Qualtrough announced the creation of this entity last December, following the revelations of several athletes who had suffered abuse in sport.
She began her speech by, once again, apologizing.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I am sorry that the sports system did not protect you or hold those who harmed you accountable,” she said.
The model of the independent commission, which will have to present two reports and hold a national summit on the issue of abuse in sport, will be similar to that of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The decision to opt for this format had caused some disappointment among those who were campaigning for the opening of a public inquiry.
The government has reserved in its 2024 budget an envelope of 10.6 million over two years, starting from 2024-2025, to support the activities of the commission.
reference: www.lapresse.ca