Gender‐Based Violence in Children's SportBy GretchenKerr, London: Routledge, 2023. 170 pp. £125.00 (hardcover), ISBN: 9780367473662

In Gender-Based Violence in Children's Sport, Gretchen Kerr offers a profound analysis of gender-based violence (GBV) affecting children in the sporting world, exploring how a range of abuses—including sexual, psychological and physical violence—permeate the sporting experience for young athletes. Kerr's work is meticulously organized, with a broad foundation in both theory and empirical research, examining GBV through a comprehensive lens that includes historical, sociocultural and political influences. She explains how children were once seen as ‘miniature adults’ with a little acknowledgment of their developmental needs, a view that has only recently shifted to one where children are recognized as individuals with rights and developmental trajectories worthy of nurturing. A central contribution of Kerr's work is its detailed exploration of GBV's various forms within sport. In each chapter, she investigates specific abuses: psychological violence, neglect, physical and sexual violence and systemic policies that enable such harms. Kerr highlights that gender-based violence as deeply rooted in societal structures like cissexism, binarism and sexism, often intersecting with racism, ableism and colonialism (p. 27). The intersectional approach is critical, underscoring how violence in sport disproportionately affects girls, gender-diverse youth and marginalized groups. Kerr examines psychological violence, one of the most common forms of GBV in sports, in great detail (p. 49). It is particularly insidious, she argues, because it often goes unnoticed or is normalized by coaches, parents and the athletes themselves (pp. 55–56). Through various studies, Kerr demonstrates the prevalence of verbal abuse, emotional manipulation and other psychological harm, making a compelling case for greater attention to these abuses, which, while less visible, are pervasive and harmful (pp. 96–97). The book's examination of neglect reveals an equally troubling reality. Despite being the most common form of child maltreatment outside sports, neglect in athletic contexts remains underresearched. Kerr describes cases where children's injuries and academic needs are ignored, illustrating how neglect can inflict significant damage on young athletes (p. 68). The normalization of neglect in sport is tied to the high-stakes, performance-driven nature of the field, which often prioritizes athletic achievements over children's well-being. Sexual violence, though more publicly acknowledged, is meticulously unpacked as well. Kerr's discussion includes the dynamics of coach–athlete relationships, peer violence and the grooming processes that can lead to abuse (pp. 76–77). Her inclusion of recent findings about nongrooming methods of sexual abuse highlights the evolving nature of violence in sports and the need for continually updated safeguarding measures (p. 79). One of the book's core arguments is that GBV is sustained by systemic factors, including sport's deeply ingrained structures and values. Kerr highlights the culture of hegemonic masculinity within sport is also identified as a factor that perpetuates GBV (p. 110), promoting aggression, performance at all costs and the subjugation of female and marginalized athletes. Kerr calls for a shift away from these values toward an athlete-centred model on children's rights and developmental needs (p. 140). The lack of effective policies within sports organizations exacerbates these issues. Many children do not report abuse due to the opaque, often punitive processes that may place their athletic futures at risk (p. 132). Kerr advocates for child-centred, transparent policies developed in collaboration with athletes to ensure their voices are considered in safeguarding efforts (p. 152). In the final section, Kerr proposes a rights-based approach, advocating for sports environments where young athletes have autonomy, developmental support and safeguards against all forms of violence (pp. 153–154). Kerr imagines an athletic system where power dynamics between coaches and athletes are balanced, allowing children to participate in a way that honours their well-being and developmental needs rather than prioritizing competitive outcomes alone. This approach, she argues, not only protects young athletes but enriches their sports experience by fostering environments that promote healthy growth. In Gender-Based Violence in Children's Sport, Gretchen Kerr delivers a well-researched, thought-provoking analysis of the ways in which GBV pervades the world of children's sports. Her systemic approach, which critiques both the individual behaviours and the cultural values that enable violence, is a valuable contribution to sports sociology, child development and safeguarding literature. The book not only exposes the multifaceted nature of GBV but also calls for fundamental changes in the way children's sports are organized and governed. Kerr's work serves as a wake-up call, reminding readers that the sporting field, often seen as a site of personal growth and achievement, can also be a site of profound harm. By championing a rights-based approach, Kerr envisions a sporting world where children are safe, respected and empowered—a vision that, if realized, could transform not only the lives of young athletes but the culture of sport itself. This book is essential reading for anyone invested in the welfare of young athletes and the future of safe, inclusive sports environments.