Abuse of women by male athletes

Maltreatment of women by men in sports
Exploitation of females by sportsmen

Nature

Social scientists and researchers concur that male athletes are more likely to be abusive toward women than other males.

Incidence

A 1995 survey in the USA and Canada of 252 incidents involving 345 top sportsmen and requiring police intervention, 77 were crimes of violence against women, making this the leading crime among athletes in each major sport.

Claim

The sports culture creates negative attitudes towards women, attitudes of superiority which can lead to violence; male athletes and coaches view women with contempt. Elite athletes are encouraged to believe that they are entitled to have women serve their needs.

The stronger women get, the more men like football.

Counter-claim

Athletes are expected to have a higher standard of behavior than others. If there is violence among athletes, it is only because there is violence among the population in general.