New Zealanders are not immune to sexual abuse in sport according to a top psychologist.
Sports psychologist Karen Nimmo says sexual assault and harassment in the sports sector is not uncommon. She, like many other women in sporting environments, has been sexually harassed.
Sports Psychologist Karen Nimmo Photo: Angela Vidal
Karen was a sports journalist when a high profile international tennis coach stuck his hand up her skirt, laughed and walked away. “At the time … in that era you didn’t say too much,” she says. “You got on with things because you had a job to do and a career to build. People didn’t talk about those things.”
USA Olympic gymnastics physician Larry Nassar pleaded guilty to multiple abuse charges, after more than 120 women spoke up. Earlier this week four time Olympic medalist Simone Biles added her voice to the growing number.
Nimmo isn’t surprised by the revelations, or by the numbers of athletes being abused.
“Abuse is rife in sport. Any arena in which you get a power imbalance … it is going to happen,” Nimmo says. “As a psychologist I’ve heard many stories … it’s not right that young people have to be subjected to this kind of pressure in this kind of sporting environment.”
But it’s not just men abusing women and girls according to the psychologist.
“I’ve seen young women pushed into relationships, or … slightly groomed by coaches. I’ve seen young boys in the same situation,” she says. “I’ve also seen young women be pressured by older women athletes.
“And I’ve seen a lot of angry parents who have been trying to deal with these issues.”
US gymnastics star Simone Biles. Photo: Photosport
The #MeToo movement has opened the door for people to speak up about experiences of abuse not just in Hollywood, but also in sport. Nimmo believes #MeToo has given athletes the courage to come forward. “Sexual inappropriateness is not good in sport and it’s time we put our hands up and gave people a way of speaking up,” she says. “Let’s be loud and proud when we see things that are not right.”
Speaking up in a country as small and connected as New Zealand, could be difficult. Nimmo says it’s easier for high-profile athletes to say something and more difficult for those starting out in their sporting careers. “Many [athletes] are scared [speaking out] will compromise their careers,” she says. “[We need to] give people the means and an obvious process if they feel like they are in trouble.
“[We need to] let people know that this is not appropriate.”
For help and support for issues raised in this story, or for more information about these issues, visit:
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
- Women's Refuge
- Victim Support
- Sexual Abuse Help Foundation
- Shine
- Shakti NZ
- NZ Police diversity liaison officers
