"We protect animals well" : A structural approach to abusive conduct within circus schools

Abstract: This master thesis investigates abusive conduct in circus schools. Focus is put on the management level in order to achieve and provide knowledge of measures and attitudes related to prevention. The theoretical framework for the thesis is built on understanding knowledge as situated and the creation of normative borders producing ways for practitioners of identifying with artistic disciplines. Moreover, the thesis takes a structural understanding of abusive conduct. Stating the lack of research within circus schools, the thesis builds upon a research background relying on sports and academia as fields of reference. Research from these related fields are argued to help artistic education such as circus schools to make up for lost time. The data of this thesis comes from a survey conducted within a global federation of professional circus schools, FEDEC, and the results were thematically analyzed in eight categories. The results reflect circus schools as mainly willing actors against abusive conduct. However, the survey also shows a discipline that is in need of deeper knowledge in order to better apply policies and effectively prevent abuse. The respondents show varying degrees of uncertainty regarding policies and in certain cases refer to direct unwillingness to engage with designated safeguarding procedures, attitudes that must be seen as incompatible with management of any artistic school. In conclusion, this thesis argues that circus (and indeed other artistic) schools are in need of better knowledge and further research in order to better account for transparency, active leadership and bystanding dynamics within the specific social fields of the respective disciplines. Finally it is suggested that further research into identifying and naming problems related to cultures of abuse may help circus schools and other social actors within Circus to put these questions on the agenda.