In #MeToo era, NZ cricketers issued sexual consent guidelines

As the #MeToo campaign highlighting sexual harassment of women in workplaces rages, New Zealand cricketers have been issued guidelines on their conduct. The New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) in its revamped handbook instructs players how to deal with various risk areas covered in their personal development programme, including affirmative sexual consent.

According to a report in New Zealand Herald, the handbook guideline reads: “Making good decisions is important in all aspects of life. This is particularly important when relating to sexual relationships, and especially around matters of consent. No matter the situation, sexual consent is crucial,” it reads.

The guidelines ask players to respect an individual’s choice to withdraw consent even when they have been in a physical relationship.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) actively supports a secure working environment through accreditation conditions. Any player-related issue is dealt with by respective national boards. As far as the wider sexual misdemeanor is concerned, ICC can even withdraw accreditation in case of any transgression during its events.

Cricket Australia keeps out of the private lives of players and only deals with intellectual property rights and playing conditions. India has no policy in the absence of a players’ body.

The NZCPA programme also covers other areas like anti-doping and post-retirement life. The #MeToo campaign has seen women from across the world making public instances of alleged sexual harassment by men in positions of power. The world of sport hasn’t been immune with an American woman Kathryn Mayorga accusing football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. He has denied the accusations.

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