The #SpeakingOut movement that shed light on sexual misconduct in wrestling saw many stories surface from the UK scene in particular.
Back in July, it was reported that a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) was being formed to look into the misconduct in Britain's wrestling scene. Following that announcement, groups such as TRUST Wrestling and PROGRESS announced that they would be working with the APPG to ensure a safer wrestling landscape in the future.
On Thursday, September 24, The Wrestling APPG officially began its inquiry into the UK wrestling scene.
— APPG Wrestling (@appgwrestling) September 24, 2020
— APPG Wrestling (@appgwrestling) September 24, 2020
Speaking with BBC, Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones, who is the Chair & Registered contact for the newly-formed APPG, spoke about how the disturbing reality this movement helped shine a light on.
"The disturbing reality and lived experience for many female wrestlers is, more often than not, entrenched in misogyny," she said. "I have heard horrific tales from female wrestlers who were faced with threats of rape or sexual assault, all in the name of 'friendly banter'. I have also heard from women as young as 13 or 14 who, at the start of their careers, were the targets of vile behaviours that saw male wrestlers competing to be the one to take their virginity."
"Who should these young women turn to?" the MP asked, telling BBC Sport: "Wrestling has fallen through the gaps because it's not necessarily a sport."
Lucia Lee, another wrestler who came forward in the movement, told BBC that she just wants women to be able to come into pro wrestling and enjoy it for what it is, but many steps need to be taken including separate locker rooms for men and women.
“The main thing is going to be promoters keeping an eye on that talent, monitoring what's happening in locker rooms, having separate locker rooms for men and women. Just listening to people when they're reporting people. I'd really want girls to come into wrestling and just enjoy wrestling for what it is - because it's an amazing thing."
Fightful will continue monitoring the story and report all updates.
