It is being reported by Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda that the recent #speakingout movement, in which dozens of people have come forward with accusations of sexual abuse against wrestlers, managers, commentators and referees, will be leading to a UK law change.
According to Cassidy, the change will be made to the UK’s Sexual Offences Act 2003, making it illegal for anyone in a position of power to have a romantic relationship with anyone aged 16 or 17.
There is a current loophole in the law which makes it legal for wrestling trainers to have relationships with their students, even if they are aged 16 or 17. The reported change to the law will take place next year, making this illegal.
Justin Humphreys, who is a member of the Expert Advisory Group on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment at the Department for International Development, said:
“Discussions that I’ve been having with the Ministry of Justice on this in recent weeks indicate that there is going to be a change in the law.”
The #SpeakingOut movement has led to a number of wrestlers from both the UK and US being fired, and there are currently police investigations underway into some of the alleged abuse.
Hopefully the introduction of this law, alongside this fantastic movement, will help significantly reduce the level of abuse taking place within pro-wrestling.
