The Culture of Silence in Hockey

Since the revelation of the scandal at Hockey Canada, after the alleged gang rape of a young woman by eight hockey players, in 2018, the disturbing facts have continued to multiply.

The Culture of Silence in Hockey

Since the revelation of the scandal at Hockey Canada, after the alleged gang rape of a young woman by eight hockey players, in 2018, the disturbing facts have continued to multiply.

The completely inadequate management of the affair by the leaders of Hockey Canada continues to cause scandal.

The organization notably settled the case with an out-of-court agreement. The players have not been met.

We also learned from The Canadian Press this week that Hockey Canada was using its contingency fund to settle sexual abuse cases.

The organization also had to go public on Friday because a similar incident allegedly occurred in 2003.

Disgusting gestures

But a disturbing fact that has been less talked about continues to haunt me. I would like to understand why most members of the Junior National Team have remained silent for so long.

If you are likely to be suspected of an act as repugnant as a gang rape whose circumstances reported in the media give you heartache, you should hasten to proclaim loud and clear that you are not involved.

You should also denounce the alleged acts as soon as possible, calling them unacceptable and intolerable.

We could indeed have expected each player to strongly denounce the alleged actions. Some did, but not all.

culture of silence

Could the silence of these players be explained by a form of solidarity “among boys”? Wouldn't the alleged actions arouse enough indignation in the organizations to encourage the players not involved to dissociate themselves from them as quickly as possible?

Would these players have been pressured by other players, agents or coaches with links to players who would be involved?

Is there a culture of silence or a form of tolerance towards aggression in an environment where performance values ​​take center stage?

There are still so many unanswered questions about this sordid affair.

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