The French National Olympic and Sports Committee (Cnosf) has taken a further step in its commitment against all forms of violence and discrimination in sport, this Thursday, April 6, with the holding of the first international meetings to combat sexual violence, organized at the Maison du sport français in Paris.
An international dimension claimed by the Cnosf. “In line with the actions of the International Olympic Committee (CIO), we wanted to mobilize at the highest level, to discuss and see what is also happening abroad”, explains Catherine Moyon de Baecque, co-chair of the commission for the fight against sexual violence and discrimination within the Cnosf. “The idea is not necessarily to copy but at least to draw inspiration from ideas to fight effectively” against the scourge of sexual violence.
Figures below reality
Catherine Moyon de Baecque was raped in 1991. This former hammer thrower was the first top athlete to break the law of silence. At the head of the commission for the fight against sexual violence of the Cnosf created in January 2022, she believes that the curve of violence “keep going up”: 1,000 reports of sexual violence in sport have been recorded since the opening of the listening unit of the Ministry of Sports in 2020. “I have to say that the figures are very much below reality”, concedes Catherine Moyon de Baecque, who estimates that this figure should be multiplied by ten to be faithful to reality.
At the heart of the scourge, the question of omerta. For an athlete who is the victim of abuse, speaking out is still seen as something detrimental to their career. An omerta that most sports federations seek to break, without really succeeding. “Everything that has been put in place is encouraging, even if it is insufficient,” analyzes the former champion. “Of the 109 Cnosf member federations, more than 80% of them responded to our survey, which tends to prove that they are taking the subject head on. »
Between now and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Cnosf commission wishes to train executives, in priority those of the Olympic delegations. “Our role is to provide consistency, a political and unifying line to help restore this balance between federations that do not always have the same human and financial resources. »«This mobilization in the fight against sexual violence is both vital and legal,” insists Catherine Moyon de Baecque.
Foundations that call for others?
The Cnosf wishes to perpetuate the organization of meetings to combat sexual violence for as long as necessary. ” Lakeommission is dynamic but young. Today, she is on a commando mission in front of the emergency, explains its co-president. It is also long-term because we are aware, in all humility, that we will not solve all the problems related to sexual violence in sport in a few weeks. »
” We’re gonna succed, insists the person in charge. We have no choice, this is about preserving, consoling and saving lives. »