Thirteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

The abuses happened in Baylor University and the Larry Nassar scandal have brought sexual harassment in American collegiate athletics under the public scrutiny. Bitter debates on the legal conundrum and hurdles facing campus sexual misconduct cases also arises, in light of the regulation changes. The overarching question presented in this essay, is whether the mechanism and social context of collegiate athletics should be considered when enacting the laws against sexual harassment. This review uses secondary research and has examined both sociology works and law scholarship regarding college sport and sexual harassment. The study argues that, the two traits of college athletics calls for broader legal definition, in order to crack down the rampant sexual harassment in this field. It concludes that the narrower definition adopted by the newest regulation under Title IX, together with the lack of definition from NCAA, has created legal hurdles for combating this epidemic.