Résumé
There is yet to be a focused review and synthesis on non-accidental violence toward sport officials despite a surge in academic enquiry into the topic over the last 25 years. As such, the aim of this review is to examine: (a) Prevalence rates and types of abuse; (b) Perpetrators of abuse; (c) Demographics and risk; (d) Impact of non-accidental violence; (e) Coping; and (f) Organizational support. Articles were screened in March 2025. 32 articles were included in this scoping review with 13 countries and 7 sports represented across the included studies. 43.7% of studies used qualitative methods, and only 4.1% of the total sample were women officials. Sport officials frequently experienced non-accidental violence, in particular verbal abuse, from athletes, coaches, and spectators; with organizations also identified as key contributors to the maintenance of the problem. Non-accidental violence had serious consequences for officials such as depression, low self-esteem, and attrition, particularly those with limited support and coping resources. We recommend future researchers prioritize vulnerable and marginalized sport officiating groups (e.g., young women, LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities), and diversify methodological choices through employing more in-depth qualitative methods and expanding research questions to focus on the mental health impact of non-accidental violence. Finally, researchers may consider an organizational lens—one which examines how structures, norms, and practices within sports organizations contribute to abuse—to ensure the advancement of research and practice in the field.
