The world of sport fails sexual assault victims
Earlier last week, NFL player DeShaun Watson was given a mere six-game ban after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. This isn't the first and won't be the last time sportsmen get off scot free when it comes to sexual assault.
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| Credit: The New York Times. |
The
Cleveland Browns quarterback has been accused by 24 women in Texas; despite
this shockingly high number of accusers, the NFL’s personal conduct policy saw
it fit to only charge him with a six-game ban. Watson allegedly assaulted
numerous massage therapists during treatment sessions across 2020 and 2021 and
has since settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits.
A Texas
court decided not to pursue criminal charges against the quarterback, but the
NFL undertook an inquiry into whether Watson violated the sport’s personal
conduct policy. Watson continues to claim innocence. The NFL already wish to appeal the decision,
with hopes that Watson would be suspended for just a year. However, the National
Football League Players Association argue that this is a suitable ban.
A shocking comparison
is the ban given to Calvin Ridley, an Atlanta Falcons player, who received a
full season ban for breaking betting rules. Is the NFL saying this is more
serious than a multiple alleged sexual assaults? Betting is worse than sexual
assault?
History
shows that time and time again, sportsmen get off lightly for serious sexual offences.
Former boxer Mike Tyson was convicted of raping an 18-year-old in 1991; he received
a sentence of six years and barely served half of his time. Professional
footballer Marlon King sexually assaulted and attacked a woman in 2008; after
serving 18 months, he was immediately snapped up by another club and back on
the pitch within days.
The most
recent revelation is a string of sportsmen sexually harassing people concerns
Mason Greenwood’s domestic abuse and sexual assault charges. The former Manchester
United player is currently on bail; the club immediately froze Greenwood’s
contract but football fans and fellow players were allegedly quick to argue
this decision.
The main
problem is that leaders, league managers, executives and anyone in power in
sport continue to permit sexual violence by handing out lenient punishments. The
NFL have been well-known to privately handle accusations of sexual assault in
an attempt to avoid media controversy, with the current exception of Watson.
The leagues and even fans are clearly to blame for the shameful treatment of
sexual violence, with a majority perceiving it as a non-serious offence in
relation to other arguably unethical offences. Take former cyclist Lance
Armstrong’s doping for example, something that has been more widely publicised
and treated with outrage than former basketballer Kobe Bryant’s rape
accusations, which were quickly brushed off and forgotten. Young fans continue
to wear his jersey, despite this allegation being forgotten and Bryant failing
to be held accountable.
In today’s
society, it’s not just sports stars that get off lightly when it comes to sexual
assault. However, with sports leagues implementing weak punishments, when will
these players really face the consequences?