The Dome of Silence

Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport

Lorraine Greaves, Olena Hankivsky, Sandra Kirby

”Having experienced coach-athlete abuse as a child and having investigated the issue as an adult, I know firsthand that sexual abuse by coaches is extremely toxic and distressingly common. It’s also shrouded in secrecy. This book successfully lifts that dome of silence.” Mariah Burton Nelson, author of The Unburdened Heart: Five Keys to Forgiveness and Freedom.

”The Dome of Silence uncovers the insidious abuse of power in sport by coaches and officials, and gives real nuts and bolts solutions to a practice that simply must end. Required reading for all athletes, parents, and sport officials.” Laura Robinson, journalist and author of Crossing the Line: Violence and Sexual Assault in Canada’s National Sport.

”The Dome of Silence speaks loud and clear about abuses in sport, and what to do about it. Above all, we must be prepared to deal with it openly, for the sake of our children, and for the future of sport.” Victor Lachance, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

This book brings violence in sport to life through athletes’ own stories of abuse. The authors scrutinize the values underlying sport by examining the contradictory experiences of Canada’s elite athletes. Values such as competition, compulsory heterosexuality and patriotism are analyzed for their effects on athletes, coaches and the culture of sport. The authors recommend revamping these values in order to create a more ethical and caring sport scene for all. They describe changes that have been made by sports organizations and point to further steps that need to be taken by all who participate in organized sport.

About the Authors

Lorraine Greaves is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has played a pioneering role in addressing neglected and emerging women’s health issues – such as addictions, tobacco use, mental health, and violence against women – in a collaborative and multidisciplinary way. Her leadership in bridging biomedical and social sciences, and integrating sex and gender analysis into Canadian health research, is recognized internationally.

Olena Hankivsky is a Research Associate at the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health in Vancouver and a Lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the University British Columbia.

Sandra Kirby is a professor of sociology at the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a former Olympic athlete who participated in the Montreal Olympics as a member of the Canadian Rowing Team.