Safe sports communities

Grassroots sport has a long and proud tradition in Denmark. In 2023, DGI had more than 1.87 million members organised in 6,700 sports associations. For the vast majority of members, sport is a source of physical and mental health, joy, unity and positive experiences. However, it's important to be aware of situations where members may have transgressive experiences. Everyone should feel safe in a sports organisation.

Below you will therefore find the first national survey on unpleasant and harassing experiences, unwanted sexual attention and harassment and sexual assault in Danish sports organisations. An important conclusion of the survey is that the vast majority of members feel that it is safe to be active in a sports organisation where we often meet people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, preferences and backgrounds.

However, the survey also shows that almost 15% have had a transgressive experience related to activities in a sports organisation or club in the last 5 years. In particular, young women and men, LGBT+ people and members from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely than other members to have had uncomfortable and harassing experiences, to have received unwanted sexual attention or to have been subjected to harassment and sexual assault.

The study was commissioned by DGI with funding from the Ministry of the Environment and Gender Equality and with sparring from Sex & Samfund.