Ann Craft Trust Head of Safeguarding in Sport Emma Gibson talks to Emma Thomas, a sport ethicist specialising in safeguarding in Muay Thai.
Emma Thomas is a trustee board member at Safe Sport International. This stems from her experience as a Muay Thai fighter and a survivor of sexual violence in her sport.
She is also the founder of Under the Ropes, an online platform promoting safe and inclusive cultures in Muay Thai, focusing on the elimination of gender-based violence.
Emma recently completed her master’s degree in Sports Ethics & Integrity. She conducted the world’s first study on women’s experiences of sexual harassment and abuse in Muay Thai. This involved trauma-informed interviews with survivors and an analysis of safeguarding policies implemented by federations.
NOTE: This podcast contains a discussion of sexual violence.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by any of the issues we’re discussing today, you’ll find lots of support available through the NHS. You can also reach out to organisations such as The Survivors Trust and Rape Crisis.
A Holistic Approach to the Prevention of Abuse in Sport – Free Safeguarding Adults Week Online Seminar
During Safeguarding Adults Week, Emma Thomas will be joining us for a free online seminar.
This seminar draws from Emma’s research to illustrate the importance of a holistic, collaborative and multi-layered approach to the prevention of abuse in sport. Emma will discuss how we can build a culture that has survivors’ wellbeing at its heart.
Date: Monday 17 November 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free