Week for the elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence – 20-24 November 2023
Cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remain a major occurrence around the world and are unfortunately present at all levels of society: in private and professional contexts, the public arena, etc. SGBV is systemic and takes on various forms (sexist behaviour, sexual or moral harassment, sexual assault, rape…). For gender equality and the fight against SGBV to truly take hold in our societies, it is essential that SGBV is understood by all.
What is the reality of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the world of sport?
In the context of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, this year’s week for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) will focus on SGBV in sport, encouraging governing authorities to take concrete action and raise awareness among the general public about the importance of a more inclusive sporting environment where all athletes feel respected and safe.
The French government unit for violence in sports has recorded over 600 reports of sexual violence since 2020. [1]
- A total of 655 people have been accused, 97% of whom are men, as part of 610 total cases concerning 54 sporting federations at the end of December 2021. [1]
- Among those accused, over 60% are sports instructors (an equivalent of 365 people) and male athletes under the aged of 15 are among the youngest victims. [1]
- 90% of cases involve acts of a sexual nature, 10% are acts of physical or psychological violence, and 80% concern women. [1]
Université Paris-Saclay is committed to an ambitious policy aimed at tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; zero tolerance and prevention being the operative words. While a wide range of actions are carried out throughout the year across the university’s campuses, the week of 20 November 2023 represents a key moment in the fight against SGBV.
[1] Source: Statistics shared on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at the third convention for the prevention of violence in sports at the French Assemblée Nationale
Actions and events - 20 to 24 November
- Interactive theatre performance on SGBV with the company, Cigale – Friday 17 November
For second year students at Supoptique
Where? Institut d'Optique Graduate School, 2 avenue augustin fresnel, 91127 Palaiseau cedex.
- Stand on SGBV organised by the students’ union from the Faculty for Sports Science in Orsay – Monday 20 to Friday 24 November, 12-2pm
A stand will be held in the university restaurant, Les Cèdres, giving students the opportunity to talk about SGBV. A Purple Hand workshop will also be organised to raise awareness and say STOP to violence: domestic abuse, family violence, incest, femicide… Take an old white t-shirt and mark it with a purple handprint. Leave it to dry and wear it to class. Students will have their photo taken of them wearing the t-shirt.
For staff and students
Where? Les Cèdres University Restaurant, Building 406 rue Claude Bernard, 91400 Orsay.
- Photo exhibition at the Orsay University Library, organised by the students’ union from the Faculty of Sports Science in Orsay – Monday 20 – Friday 24 November
Presentation of large posters of women athletes, illustrating the challenges women face to get ahead in the sporting world. The exhibition has been made available thanks to the university’s Equality & Diversity Unit.
For staff and students
Where? Orsay University Library, Building 407 rue du doyen Georges Poitou, 91400 Orsay.
- Conference on sport and SGBV, organised by the Equality & Diversity Unit at Université Paris-Saclay – Thursday 23 November, 10.30am – 12pm
Talk with Léa Gogniat, graduate of the Master’s in Political Science at Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, with a second year Master’s dissertation on “Sexual violence and malfunctions in the French sporting world”. Léa is currently a first year PhD candidate in Political Science on sexual violence in sport, supervised by Anaïs Bohuon and Frédérique Matonti at Paris I and the laboratory of the European Centre for Sociology and Political Science (CESSP).
For staff and students
Where? H-Bar Building, rue Louis de Broglie, 91400 Orsay.
- SGBV stand: prevention and raising awareness – Thursday 30 November 9am – 5pm
Where? Forum de la photonique, 34 rue de la croix de fer, 78100 Saint-germain-en-laye.
- Interactive theatre performance on SGBV with the company, Cigale – Friday 1 December
For students at Supoptique
Where? Institut d'Optique Graduate School, 2 avenue augustin fresnel, 91127 Palaiseau cedex.