Abstract:

The aim of this study is to understand the perceptions and experiences of athletes about sexual harassment. 194 female and 178 male athletes from different sport branches (e.g. boxing, football, gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, track and field, and volleyball) were participated in this study. The questionnaire which was developed by the researchers includes the questions about knowledge for the sexual harassment behaviors, experiences and views for the measures. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square analysis were applied to analyze data. The findings of the study showed that the most rated sexual harassment behaviors by female athletes were asking about your sexual life (76%), making compliments or comment about your body (71%) and making sexist jokes (66%). Whereas the most stated sexual harassment behaviors by male athletes were sending sexually-explicit materials (e.g., photo, email, SMS) (70%), repeated unwanted sexually suggestive glances (72%), and sending flirting request message ( 51%). In addition, 27per cent of male athletes reported that they exposed to sexual harassment mostly in the locker rooms whereas 26,3 per cent of female athletes reported that they exposed to sexual harassment mostly in sport areas. The most stated reactions to sexual harassment by sexually harassed female athletes were saying warnings words (24,2%), and showing no reaction (24%). However, the most stated reactions to sexual harassment by sexually harassed male athletes were ignore perceive joke (27%) and show physical response (11,2%). The overall findings of this study show that some female and male athletes have experience sexual harassment in Turkey.

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