A Comparative Thematic Analysis of Institutional Betrayal in the National Women’s Soccer League and the Catholic Church
A summary of the research:
The article by Mia Kelly (2024) provides a comparative analysis of institutional betrayal within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Catholic Church, focusing on the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations in both institutions. Using investigative reports from the U.S. Soccer Federation, NWSL, and John Jay College, the study examines five dimensions of institutional betrayal, including failure to prevent abuse, normalizing abusive contexts, inadequate reporting procedures, supporting cover-ups, and punishing whistleblowers. The study reveals that both institutions failed to address abuse allegations appropriately, often prioritizing reputation over victim safety, which prolonged the cycle of abuse and hindered victims from speaking out. The findings illustrate how different settings—sports and religious institutions—may exhibit similar themes of institutional betrayal, with both failing to implement protective policies and allowing abuse to continue largely unchecked.
The analysis reveals specific institutional dynamics that allowed abuse to flourish. In the NWSL, abusive coaches frequently moved between teams due to inadequate oversight, while in the Catholic Church, abusive priests were often transferred between parishes to avoid public scandal. Both institutions also exhibited dismissive reporting processes, which discouraged victims from coming forward. This comparative framework highlights the critical need for institutions to implement transparent and supportive practices to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
Key Takeaways
Both the NWSL and the Catholic Church exhibited institutional betrayal, failing to prevent and address abuse adequately, thus perpetuating harm.
Abusive individuals were often retained or transferred within these institutions without effective intervention, prioritizing reputation over victim safety.
The lack of clear reporting protocols and supportive responses in both institutions contributed significantly to the prolonged abuse and institutional mistrust among victims.
Author: Mia Kelly
You can read the entire article here.
