The National Women’s Soccer League Report and What it Means for Students
*Content Warning: This content topics about abuse, so it might not be appropriate for younger students. Please review the content of this blog post before sharing it with your students.*
A recent report released by Former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates found that the National Women’s Soccer League failed to take action against systemic abusive behavior and sexual misconduct.
During the past several years, eight National Women’s Soccer League coaches were either removed from their positions or resigned due to inappropriate misconduct – including verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse. The long-awaited report detailed a culture of abuse – shaking not just the soccer league, but the world.
Through our conversations with students, we have found that they are feeling empowered and inspired by the players bravely speaking out against abuse – emotional, verbal, and sexual – and seeing the impact just one voice can have in sparking a movement.
Tell me more about the NWSL Report
The investigation began after former soccer players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim came forward with allegations of abuse from former head coach, Paul Riley. Yates and a team of investigators spoke to over 200 players around North America. They quickly found out that the problem of sexual and verbal abuse was far beyond what Farrelly and Shim experienced with their coach. Through the detailed and year long-investigation, they discovered that several other coaches had also been accused of similar allegations with other women having similar experiences.
In the investigation, Yates writes that “Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players.”
The report also found that “Teams, the League, and the Federation not only repeatedly failed to respond appropriately when confronted with player reports and evidence of abuse, they also failed to institute basic measures to prevent and address it, even as some leaders privately acknowledged the need for workplace protections.”
TSI’s take
We are inspired and moved by the courage of those using their mic for good to speak out against systemic abuse within the National Women’s Soccer League.
You can support your students when it comes to important topics such as abuse by reminding them that:
- You are not alone. Someone is always here to have your back and listen to your story.
- It takes a lot of courage to say something.
- You have resources. Contact a trusted adult at the school or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
Our most recent #WinAtSocial LIVE Lesson, Speaking up when the stakes are high: What we can learn from the National Women’s Soccer League’s report on abuse, reflects on the report and what types of cultures enable abuse. If you are interested in accessing this important LIVE Lesson to address this topic fully with your students, contact us today.
Ready to huddle up with your students about this topic? Download the Huddle Discussion Questions to have real conversations about this trending news story and more!
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.