Oxford United Football Club’s Visionary Approach: Combating Extreme Misogyny with Our Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity Course
In recent years, a troubling rise in extreme misogyny has been observed across various social platforms, largely driven by the growing influence of the “manosphere.” This network of blogs, forums, and social media groups promotes harmful ideologies that contribute to toxic masculinity, dehumanise women, and perpetuate violence against them. As the reach of these groups grows, so too does the need for proactive and informed responses, especially in spaces where individuals—particularly vulnerable ones—come together, such as sports.
Our course, ‘Inclusive Sport: Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity’, is a vital tool in addressing this concerning rise in extreme misogyny and the influence of the manosphere. The course not only aims to empower sports clubs, coaches, and instructors with the knowledge and skills they need to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence but also to address the root causes of toxic masculinity that fuel misogyny in various environments, including sports settings.
The Influence of the Manosphere
The manosphere is a space where extreme misogynistic views often go unchallenged. It includes communities that promote the idea that women are inferior to men and advocate for the mistreatment of women through degrading language, harmful stereotypes, and a dangerous sense of entitlement. These views are particularly concerning because they can have a profound impact on young people, especially those already exposed to such rhetoric in online spaces.
What makes the spread of this ideology even more insidious is how it is often disguised in seemingly harmless ways. As highlighted in the Netflix show Adolescence, radicalising individuals, particularly young men, can be done through subtle methods such as the use of emojis with hidden meanings. Emojis like the red pill, kidney beans, and even the coffee cup have been weaponised by those pushing the manosphere’s toxic messages. These seemingly innocent symbols create an easy, inconspicuous way to promote harmful ideologies without drawing attention. This covert approach makes it difficult for parents, educators, and even the general public to recognise when young people are being exposed to these dangerous ideas.
The manosphere thrives on platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter, where individuals share content that glorifies aggression toward women and, at times, even incites violence. The problem is that these ideologies aren’t confined to digital spaces – they increasingly infiltrate offline spaces as well. As the influence of the manosphere expands, its toxic ideology spreads to settings such as sports teams, where young men, in particular, are taught how to handle their emotions, relationships, and identities. This makes it all the more critical for us to take action and address these harmful ideologies before they take root.
Oxford United FC: Visionaries for Tackling Misogyny in Sport
At Stay Safe Global, we are proud to be firmly established in the sporting world, working alongside visionary clubs like Oxford United FC to address the growing issue of misogyny in sport. Through our collaboration with Oxford United FC, we have been able to directly tackle the harmful influence of the manosphere and extreme misogyny within their environment. This proactive approach to combating toxic masculinity and fostering respect for all individuals is a significant step forward in the fight to create safer, more inclusive spaces in sport.
Oxford United FC has been a true leader in recognising the importance of creating an environment where both all athletes can thrive without the threat of harassment, abuse, or discrimination. By working closely with the club, we have delivered our Inclusive Sport: Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity course, which educates coaches, staff, and players on the detrimental effects of toxic masculinity and the manosphere. This training has empowered their team to become better allies to survivors of abuse and to take a stand against harmful behaviours, ensuring that their club culture actively promotes inclusivity, safety, and respect.
What makes Oxford United FC’s approach so visionary is their commitment to proactively addressing misogyny and gender inequality within their community. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, they have taken a preventative approach, acknowledging that the influence of extreme misogyny can be widespread and insidious. Together, we have worked to raise awareness, challenge harmful gender norms, and provide practical tools for creating safer, more supportive sporting environments.
Through this collaboration, we are seeing first-hand how sport can be a powerful tool for positive change and education. Oxford United FC is setting the standard for what it means to build a safe, inclusive, and respectful sporting culture, and we are thrilled to continue supporting them in their mission to tackle misogyny and toxic masculinity head-on. Their leadership in this area serves as an inspiring example for other clubs and organisations, demonstrating that sport can be a space where everyone, regardless of gender, can feel valued and respected.
Addressing Misogyny in Sport
Sport has long been a space where gender norms and expectations are reinforced, sometimes in harmful ways. From locker rooms to coaching strategies, sports can either contribute to or challenge toxic masculinity. As young athletes navigate their identities, they may become susceptible to the type of extreme misogyny propagated by the manosphere.
Our Inclusive Sport: Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity course is designed to disrupt these harmful narratives. By incorporating trauma-informed practices, and voices of survivors, into the training, we help coaches and instructors recognise the signs of misogyny and empower them to take a stand. We focus not only on preventing abuse but also on actively dismantling harmful behaviours and attitudes that support the idea that women are less than their male counterparts.
How the Course Tackles Misogyny
1. Building Awareness: The course provides a deep dive into the impact of extreme misogyny on individuals and communities. By equipping coaches and sports staff with the knowledge of how harmful ideologies can manifest in sports environments, we help them become better allies to survivors of abuse and violence. This awareness enables them to prevent negative behaviours before they escalate.
2. Understanding Toxic Masculinity: At the heart of many misogynistic attitudes is toxic masculinity – a set of societal expectations that pressure men to display aggression, dominance, and control while repressing vulnerability and emotional expression. The course explores how toxic masculinity can be challenged in sports, promoting healthy expressions of masculinity that respect women as equals.
3. Supporting Survivors: By integrating the voices of survivors into our training and partnering with organisations such as Hestia and UK SAYS NO MORE, we ensure that the course is not just theoretical but informed by real experiences. Survivors’ stories are vital in showing how abuse and misogyny manifest in the real world, which enables sports professionals to better support those who have experienced trauma.
4. Creating Safe Spaces: One of the primary goals of the course is to foster environments where people of all genders feel safe, heard, and respected. Coaches and instructors are taught how to create inclusive and supportive spaces, free from the fear of harassment or abuse. By tackling the root causes of misogyny, we can help break the cycle of violence and encourage a culture of respect and care in sports.
The Urgency of the Issue
The rise of the manosphere and its toxic, misogynistic messages are not just a passing trend—they are a growing concern that demands urgent attention. With 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, it’s clear that the impact of misogyny goes beyond the digital realm and into every corner of our society, including sports.
By addressing these issues head-on and providing training that supports both survivors and those working within the sport, we can help dismantle the harmful structures that perpetuate violence, discrimination, and inequality. The time to act is now – and the Inclusive Sport: Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity course is one step towards creating a safer, more inclusive space for all participants.
Get Involved
At the Stay Safe Global Charitable Trust, we believe that sports should be a space for empowerment, safety, and growth, free from the influence of harmful ideologies. Join us in our mission to combat extreme misogyny and its impact on sports. Together, we can make a lasting difference in creating a more inclusive and supportive sporting community for everyone, regardless of gender.
To learn more about the Inclusive Sport: Abuse Awareness & Challenging Toxic Masculinity course, and how it can help your organisation address these critical issues, get in touch with Stay Safe Global today.
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