While many celebrate athletes for their strength, endurance, and drive—female athletes are often left vulnerable, not just to the rigors of sport,
While many celebrate athletes for their strength, endurance, and drive—female athletes are often left vulnerable, not just to the rigors of sport, but to the systems and silences that enable their violation.
This post highlights the many forms of coercion that female athletes endure—often within the very institutions meant to protect and elevate them.
⚠️ Coercion of Female Athletes by Schools, Students, and Fellow Athletes
(While inappropriately prioritizing or standing up for the health, safety, & well-being of male athletes over female athletes)
🟥 Threatening Physical Harm
Using physical violence or the threat of violence to coerce sexual engagement.
🟥 Blackmail
Forcing someone into sexual acts by threatening to expose personal information, private photos, or releasing private information to the public.
🟥 Intimidation
Employing fear, intimidation, or the display of weapons to pressure someone into non-consensual sexual acts.
🟥 Emotional Manipulation
Manipulating a person’s emotions—such as guilt or fear—to make them feel obligated to engage in sexual activity.
🟥 Economic Coercion
Pressuring someone into sexual acts by withholding financial support, scholarships, or opportunities that could lead to financial opportunities (e.g., cutting from the team).
🟥 Substance Abuse
Taking advantage of an intoxicated, heavily intoxicated, or medicated person’s impaired ability to provide informed consent for sexual activity.
🟥 Gaslighting
Manipulating the perception of reality to undermine a person’s judgment and make them more susceptible to non-consensual sexual activity.
🟥 Exploiting a Position of Power
Coercing someone into sexual acts by taking advantage of a power dynamic, such as between a coach, donor, doctor, or an administrator overseeing their goals.
🟥 Threats of Self-Harm
Utilizing self-destructive behavior or threatening self-harm (self or others) to manipulate someone into engaging in unwanted sexual activity.
🔍 Why This Matters:
These behaviors are not just individual offenses—they are institutionally enabled.
When schools, athletic programs, and communities prioritize male athletes’ reputations over female athletes’ right to safety, they participate in a cycle of silencing, coercion, and trauma.
At WeSurviveAbuse, we see you.
To every female athlete who has been intimidated, exploited, or erased:
Your body is not collateral. Your voice is not too much. And your protection is not optional.
How Society Continues to Enable Abuse and Violation of Women and Girls in Sports