Exploring the Modus Operandi of Coaches Who Perpetrated Sex Offenses in Canada

Elisabeth St-Pierre; Elisabeth St-Pierre; Elisabeth St-Pierre; Sylvie Parent; Sylvie Parent; Sylvie Parent; Nadine Deslauriers-Varin; Nadine Deslauriers-Varin; Nadine Deslauriers-Varin

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.856798

Frontiers in Psychology (Apr 2022)

Exploring the Modus Operandi of Coaches Who Perpetrated Sex Offenses in Canada

Elisabeth St-Pierre,
Elisabeth St-Pierre,
Elisabeth St-Pierre,
Sylvie Parent,
Sylvie Parent,
Sylvie Parent,
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin,
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin,
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin

Affiliations

Elisabeth St-Pierre: Department of Physical Education, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Elisabeth St-Pierre: Research Chair on Security and Integrity in Sport, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Elisabeth St-Pierre: Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, QC, Canada
Sylvie Parent: Department of Physical Education, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Sylvie Parent: Research Chair on Security and Integrity in Sport, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Sylvie Parent: Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, QC, Canada
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin: Research Chair on Security and Integrity in Sport, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin: School of Social Work and Criminology, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Nadine Deslauriers-Varin: International Center for Comparative Criminology (ICCC), Montreal, QC, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.856798
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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This study investigated the modus operandi strategies employed by 120 coaches who committed sexual abuse toward 331 athletes under their authority. More than 2,000 Canadian court judgements and media reports were identified using online search databases. Using descriptive analysis, 51 strategies used in six modus operandi stages were identified. Results highlighted the most frequent strategies used by coaches for each stage of the crime commission process. Additionally, findings revealed the influence of the victims' gender, coaches' sport level and year of coaches' first offenses on modus operandi strategies used. Implications for crime prevention measures are discussed.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology

ISSN: 1664-1078 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology

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