Why tackling online gender-based violence in sport matters to me as a mum
Written by Samantha Lawrence, senior digital content editor at the CPSU
Over the past 16 days, I’ve learned more about online gender-based violence in sport than I have done in the past year. This is thanks to the UN Women’s annual campaign 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Like… did you know that only 9% of girls report feeling safe in online spaces*? And that online platforms can be used by people to identify young females and target abuse at them.
And… did you know that online grooming offences have hit record levels across the UK? Where gender was known in the Sexual Communication with a Child Offences reported, 80% of children targeted were girls.*
Or… did you know that 93% of female runners have experienced harassment in public places?*
Plus… did you know that online abuse spikes after high-pressure moments, like red cards and missed goals?* Before an elite player is even off the pitch and the score has been announced, they could be the target of thousands of online abusive messages.
My husband is a sport fanatic. If he’s not playing it, he’s watching it, or listening to it, or reading about it. It’s a space for joy, confidence, and connection. I want my son to grow up loving it too, not just the game, but the community around it. But I want him to take part in a community that is kind and positive, not ones filled with abuse disguised as “banter” or toxic behaviour passed off as fandom. I want him to see all people, including women and girls, celebrated for who they are, not torn down because of what they look like.
Online gender-based violence in sport is real. It doesn’t just harm women and girls, it shapes the future culture for our children. If we don’t challenge it now, we risk normalising hate and harassment as part of sport.
The platforms we use every day are built to amplify anger and hate because those posts get the most shares, clicks, and comments. Ever heard of rage bait? One hateful comment can trigger hundreds, sometimes thousands, more. And it’s not just words on a screen; it seeps into girl’s homes, schools, communities, it shapes culture, damages mental health, and silences voices.
Here’s the question that’s stuck with me: Can we do the same with positivity? Can we make kindness go viral? Can we speak up when we see something wrong online? Report it. Challenge it. Refuse to let it slide.
As parents, coaches, and leaders, can we put steps in place, so young people feel safe to talk to us if they see or experience something harmful? Because silence helps abuse thrive.
That’s why this new guidance, “Tackling online gender-based violence in sport and physical activity,” matters to me as a mum. It gives sport and physical activity organisations information and guidance on why this topic matters and what they can do in their own spaces; plus, as part of a wider sector to create safer spaces for women and girls.
For me, this isn’t just about safeguarding athletes. It’s about shaping a future where my son learns that respect, empathy, and equality are non-negotiable both online and offline.
Please take a moment to read our guidance on tackling online gender-based violence in sport. Together, we can make sport a space where everyone belongs.