Diversity of Profiles Among Adolescent-Athletes Reporting Sexual Violence in Sport

The experience of sexual violence (SV) in sport can vary according to contextual factors such as its form, type of perpetrator, and frequency of acts that might impact the risk factors and outcomes of SV. This study aims to explore the heterogeneity of SV experiences in sport using latent class analysis and to compare the victimization profiles based on personal and sport characteristics as well as on outcomes. A sample of 1357 adolescent-athletes practicing an organized sport who reported SV in sport was included in the study. Four profiles of sexual victimization were identified: (a) SV from authority figure (3.5%), (b) sexual harassment from peers (84.5%), (c) low poly-victimized (6.9%), and (d) moderate poly-victimized (5.2%). Overall, the findings suggest that athletes reporting SV are not a homogenous group but do not clearly distinguish in risk factors and outcomes. Results can be used to better target prevention and intervention strategies.