“We must look at the whole landscape — the players, coaches, administrators and leaders who run the sport.
“In many cases, they know there is a problem but say and do nothing,” Bernama reported.
“Targeting only the perpetrator leaves the enablers in positions of power, allowing future abuse to continue.
“If we deny that these enablers are responsible for the victims’ abuse, we ignore a system of complicity, perpetuating a cycle of abuse.”
Earlier today, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the volleyball coach would no longer be allowed to train anyone, especially children.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Yeoh also said the Malaysian Volleyball Association had revoked the coach’s licence.
A video showing the coach slapping two female players had gone viral recently. At the time, he was guiding the Melaka team in the Under-14 Youth Volleyball Championship in Johor.
The coach, Saiful Hadee Amar, 44, has since publicly apologised for his action and said he was ready to face the consequences.
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek, who was also at the press conference, said Saiful would also face action under Regulation 4(2)(d) of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
Sarina, a former national gymnast, also cited the case of former team US gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who used his position to groom and sexually abuse more than 500 young girls and women over 20 years.
“The people and organisations who enabled him, including parents and officials, allowed the abuse to continue despite having legitimate evidence of child abuse,” she said.
This is why the proposed Safe Sports Act, where mandatory reporting is required when someone in sports experiences abuse, is critical in preventing future harm to children and adults, Sarina said.
Previously, Yeoh had said that the implementation of the Safe Sport Code by all national sports associations, as announced by her predecessor, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, remained a priority for the ministry.
The code, which includes a code of conduct, will be used to handle complaints about sexual harassment at all levels, including sports training centres, before being replaced by the Safe Sports Act.