New research from World Rugby reveals that women in the sport face a 69% higher risk of encountering online abuse compared to men. The hostile messages frequently center on misogyny, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disparaging remarks about body image.
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin emphasized that while social media provides valuable opportunities for sport, it also exposes athletes to significant emotional distress. He affirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting players and officials, noting that they are actively working to identify and address perpetrators.
Of 440,000 analyzed posts, nearly 1,200 were deemed unlawful. Eight specific incidents have been escalated to law enforcement, with offenders identified across nations including the United States, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, and Belgium. Notable athletes like Ilona Maher, Georgia Evans, and Katie Boulter have publicly shared their experiences with this persistent issue.
The governing body is urging collaborative efforts between social media companies, governments, and sports organizations to improve reporting mechanisms. This focus on player safety follows a period of record-breaking growth for the women’s game, which saw over 13 million fans in the UK following the sport after the recent World Cup in England.
