Less than half of Australian children who experience violence in sport tell an adult, world-first study finds

A study led by Australia’s Victoria University published Monday found that of children who experience violence from their coach, peers or parents in community sport, only 46% told an adult about it. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

When Matthew* experienced violence from his soccer coach and teammates, he didn’t tell his parents out of fear it would mean giving up the sport he loved.

“I didn’t want them to withdraw me from sport altogether, because sport has always been everything in my life, it truly has.”