A former athlete said the tabling of the draft of the Safe Sport Act by December this year, is long overdue.
Ex-national gymnast Sarina Sundara Rajah hopes the Act, once tabled and approved, would ensure better protection for athletes against sexual harassment and abuse.
“This Act is the first move to address sexual abuse of athletes,” said Sarina, who has been advocating for safe sport in Malaysia.
“The law cannot be applied retroactively, so we need it to be passed quickly.
“The Act would make it mandatory for people on duty – coaches and administrators – to report suspicions of abuse to the relevant law enforcement agencies within 24 hours.”
She added that one of the reasons why abuse continued was because there is no legal accountability if the victims did not report the alleged misdeeds.
“People will only act if it is mandatory and if there is legal accountability. Only then, will they take such things seriously.
“The Safe Sport Act would be an umbrella Act and make it easier for victims to file reports.”
She said people must realise that the Act also applies to those involved in grassroots and community sports, not just elite athletes.
“Abuses happen everywhere,” said Sarina.
“The problem is elite athletes find it harder to speak out as their cases are heard by people within the ecosystem.”
While the National Sports Council has closed-circuit television cameras and carry out security checks to ensure those training and staying within its premises remained safe, Sarina said abuse cases often happened in secluded, or blind spots.
“The perpetrators are not stupid. They know when and where to strike. Some of them have been part of the system, so they also know where the cameras are,” said Sarina, who revealed that she was abused as an athlete.
“But with the Safe Sport Act, there is a provision for a Safe Sport Centre with independent parties to hear allegations and make it safer for athletes to speak out.
“In the United States, an independent arbitrator reviews a case to see how serious it is. They will decide within 72 hours if an athlete and coach need to be separated, either temporarily, or permanently,” said Sarina.
She added the proposed Safe Sport Act would also make it mandatory to list any complaints against coaches or administrators.
“That would make it easier for parents and associations to check the backgrounds of those training their children.
“I know of cases where athletes had to continue training under coaches whom they alleged abused or harassed them.”
Sarina said the Act must ensure that adults and minors, be they coaches, athletes or volunteers, undergo athletes’ awareness and prevention training.
“It is important that those authorised to deal with athletes go through the training and refresher courses.”
Sarina also said the Act must protect whistleblowers against retaliation, so as not to discourage victims or anyone else from filing a complaint.
She added there would be a safe sport advocacy campaign in May to increase engagement and outreach with relevant stakeholders such as parents, teachers and coaches.
