The BHA has apologized for more than 100 reports complaining of sexual misconduct, rape, or attempted rape since 2018. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

No place in society

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has discovered that 41% of around 350 industry complaints it has received since 2018 relate to either sexual misconduct, rape or attempted rape. The BHA has vowed to tackle the issue and has apologized for the issues that have taken place over the last five years.

no place in British racing or wider society”

Described as a “watershed moment” for the sport, BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington said that it is often easier for women to “keep [their] head down and suffer in silence.” She added that the stories of bullying, sexual misconduct, and sexual abuse have “no place in British racing or wider society.”

Since 2018, 22% of complaints concerned bullying, while 26% related to sexual misconduct.

While Harrington said that horseracing is “not immune to problems like bullying and sexual misconduct,” she believes that the industry is beginning to see a “cultural shift” as more people feel confident enough to speak up.

Letting people down

Harrington’s remarks come at a time when Durham University’s Dr Eleanor Boden’s PhD study into the experiences of women illustrates the inequalities they face in British horseracing.

remain unchallenged or accepted as “banter”

Boden’s study, which was part-funded by the Racing Foundation, found that of the 140 women considered, sexual misconduct and gender stereotypes often remained unchallenged or accepted as “banter.”

Boden also found that some women felt they had to leave the industry because they felt they didn’t belong or couldn’t reach their full potential.

BHA Chair Joe Saumarez Smith said he “apologized unreservedly” on behalf of British racing and that “horse racing has at times fallen short and let people down.”

Key areas identified

All of this comes as the BHA announces an update to its strategy on safeguarding and human welfare.

The BHA said that its strategy “sets out immediate and longer-term objectives” aimed at providing a safe and respectful working environment that’s suitable for everyone.

Key areas identified include:

• Training around sexual misconduct for the entire racing industry.
• Create a network of ‘safeguarding champions’ to increase support for those affected.
• Launch campaigns to increase awareness of what constitutes sexual misconduct.
• Improving the effectiveness and sensitivity of how reports are dealt with.

Boden welcomed the measures put into place within the BHA, adding that it was important for them to be addressed for the “sport as a whole to thrive.”