Developing systems for managing reporting, disclosure a,d allegations; conducting appropriate follow-up and providing the necessary support to children is essential to respond to safeguaring concerns, as recommended by the Lanzarote Convention and Council conclusions on safeguarding children in sport. Clear procedures are needed to ensure a prompt response to concerns about a child’s safety or well-being. Access to advice and support should be available to victims, those who are reporting concerns or cases and those with the responsibility for responding to them.
Working in close collaboration with law enforcement authorities, agencies and organisations responsible for child protection is a crucial requirement for providing victims in sport with the necessary support.
The disclosure of child abuse cases in sport often acts as a catalyst for change and an impetus for future collaborations between child protection agencies, national sport agencies and sport organisations.
Tips from partners and experts when starting with support systems and case management
Put children’s rights at the centre of your organisation.
Identify what resources and expertise are available and who to ask for help.
Make sure there is a written and transparent case management system in place in your organisation.
Establish a case management team and develop guidelines clearly stating roles, procedures and responsibilities in the case of suspected violence or abuse.
Have a reference person (a Child Safeguarding Officer) in your organisation and provide appropriate training to this person.
Provide professional supervision and support to the case management team.
Use the “3 R” approach - Report, Respond & Record.
Examples of practices and initiatives
Deal With A Concern
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: Coaches, sport leaders, organisations and Child Safeguarding Officers
Background: This tool looks at each element of an effective case management process.
There are a range of actions a sport organisation can do to reduce the likelihood of safeguarding concerns occurring, such as having clear policies, enforcing codes of conduct and ensuring all staff and volunteers have completed appropriate safeguarding training.
Summary: The objective of this resource is to simplify and create a step-by-step process for sport organisations as they deal with cases.
Our case management tool looks at each element of an effective case management process to help organisations with their own process. These elements include:
reporting concerns
case management groups
referral to statutory agencies
investigation and risk assessment
decision making
outcomes
appeals
The CPSU also offer Case Management training to Sport’s National Governing Bodies virtually over six hours period covering the topics below:
Consider who should be included within case management decision making within their organisation.
Apply threshold guidelines to their sports’ referrals.
Feel confident in engaging in basic risk assessment of poor practice referrals.
Describe the options available to them in terms of sanctions and responses to the concern.
Plan support at club level following concerns.
Escalate concerns where appropriate.
Timeframe: Self-learning resource with templates for organisations and individuals to adapt.
Organisation responsible: Vlaams Sporttribunaal, Sport Vlaanderen (Flemish sport government), Belgium
Target groups of the practice: Sport federations, victims/survivors
Background: Relevant Flemish legislation obliges sports federations to have or be able to refer cases to a disciplinary body that can protect and sanction. In 2020 the Flemish Doping Tribunal (established in 2008) was transformed into the Flemish Sports Tribunal and expanded to address cases of violence, (sexual) harassment and abuse in sport from January 2021. The Flemish Sports Tribunal provides an option for sports federations that do not wish to create their own disciplinary body.
Summary: The Flemish Sports Tribunal created a specific chamber for violence, (sexual) harassment and abuse in sport, which consists of nine judges. It also created a unit that investigates incoming cases before they are transferred to the chamber. The unit consists of five (legally trained) investigators. Since January 2021 sport federations who are members of the Sports Tribunal can refer serious cases of violence (physical/psychological), (sexual) harassment and abuse in sport to the independent tribunal. Individual victims may under certain conditions also file a complaint. If the case is admissible, an independent investigation will start. The case will subsequently be brought before a chamber of independent judges who will adjudicate upon the disciplinary regulations relevant to the individual sport federation. To date 59 sport federations are members of the Flemish Sports Tribunal and 50 rely on the Flemish Sports Tribunal for the independent adjudication of their cases.
Organisation responsible: Väestöliitto, The Family Federation of Finland, Finland
Target groups of the practice: Children and young athletes, victims/survivors, parents / athletes’ entourage, coaches, sport leaders, sport federations
Background: The You Are Not Alone service was created to address the need for more knowledge about harassment, bullying and violence in sport communities. There have been cases of harassment and violence that became public, and the sport community felt they did not have enough resources and knowledge to deal with cases or support the victims. The service provides a helpline and educates Finnish sport’s federations, clubs and club leaders about bullying, sexual harassment and violence in sport.
Summary: You Are Not Alone is a chat and phone helpline for people who have experienced or witnessed harassment, bullying or any inappropriate behaviour in sport. The helpline is open four days a week and the service and receives 100-150 contacts per year.
There is also a wide range of education materials for sport clubs and sport federations for their use (policy models, rule books for the leagues etc.).
The service was created and developed together with seven sport federations and the Finnish Olympic Committee.
The objectives of the service are:
Victims and survivors receive help and support.
Young people know their rights and recognise inappropriate behaviour in sport. Their parents, guardians and the people involved in the sport clubs recognise children’s and youth rights. Together they build a safe sports environment.
Inappropriate behaviour is recognised widely in the sport community.
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: Safeguarding staff and volunteers
Summary: This tool looks at each element of an effective case management process: introduction, reporting concerns, case management groups, referral to statutory agencies, investigation and risk assessment, decision making, outcomes, appeals.
You can work through the information from start to finish or simply select the areas you want to know more about.
Policy for the Protection of Integrity in the Practice of Sport
Organisation responsible: Sport’Aide and Regroupement Loisirs/Sports Québec, Canada
Target groups of the practice: Athlete, parent, coach, volunteer, administrator
Background: Following the ministerial statement November 2019, the Quebec sporting community attested that we do not tolerate any form of abuse, harassment, negligence or violence, physical, psychological or sexual, in programmes and activities provided by us or our members.
This policy (including rules and procedures) to which all the federations have adhered includes an independent Complaint Officer for victims / witnesses wishing to file a complaint. The policy also provides education support.
Summary:
The objective: Provide guidance to athletes and stakeholders on being a victim or witness to any form of abuse, harassment, negligence or violence, physical, psychological or sexual.
The partners: Sport’Aide, Quebec Government, Ministry of Education, Sports Québec, all (66) Quebec sports Federations, all Quebec sports / leisure organisations and clubs, Quebec student sports network.
How it was developed: A working committee of partners met for to develop the policy and determine the framework and responsibilities of the Complaints Officer.
Sub-groups met with clubs and federations to adapt new policy to realities on ground and consulted legal services to validate legal aspects related to the operation of this new policy.
The actions: Independent Complaint Officer, toolbox of information, live discussions with stakeholders.
The results obtained: Since February, Complaint Officer has responded to over 50 cases.
Timeframe: Launched in February 2021, available 24/7
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: Coaches, sports leaders, organisations as a whole
Summary: This page includes all the areas that should be included in a safeguarding policy – and the procedures to implement it – to create a safe environment for children and young people taking part in sport.
Our safeguarding assessment tools help you to ensure you are doing everything you can to keep children safe.
Target groups of the practice: Victims/survivors and people who wish to raise concerns
Background: Building on the EU Proposal for strategic action on Gender Equality (2014-2020), the Austrian Ministry responsible for sport introduced a Gender Equality Strategy with a focus on the prevention of sexual harassment in sport. Since then, a cross-organisational working group co-ordinated by 100% SPORT has been working on the campaign “For Respect and Safety in Sport” (Für Respekt und Sicherheit im Sport) to raise awareness, build capacity and educate the sport movement.
Summary: There are a variety of support organisations in Austria who are equipped to support victims and survivors of sexual harassment and violence in sport.
On the Safe Sport “landing page” these organisations are listed and organised by province so visitors can quickly find the contact details of an organisation in their vicinity.
In addition, the 100% SPORT Safe Sport Unit offers guidance and support via skype, phone and email for people who have questions and concerns regarding the prevention of violence and in cases of suspicion. In the absence of an established case management system the Safe Sport Unit supports the management of case and works on the development of a national reporting system.
Target groups of the practice: Athlete, parent, coach, volunteer, administrator, victim or witness to any form of violence in sports
Background: Being exposed to all types of violence in sport, we felt there was a need to listen, support and provide helpline services to athletes and all the stakeholders involved in the Quebec sport community.
Summary:
The objective: Provide assistance and guidance to athletes and all stakeholders including victims or witnesses of violence in sport.
The partners: Sport’Aide, Quebec Government, Ministry of Education, Family ministry, Sports Québec, all Quebec sports Federations, all Quebec sport / leisure organisations and clubs, Quebec student sports network, specialist professionals.
How it was developed: We benchmarked ourselves by consulting support services who respond to various societal issues. We adapted our support service to the reality of sport environments and the needs of stakeholders. Based on the service offered via our crisis line we determined the profile of counsellors and trained the team for three months.
Actions put in place: Our specialist counsellors support and inform awareness-raising tools and activities and write blogs to educate.
Results obtained: In three years over 800 interventions have been delivered and online platforms are consulted by several thousand people weekly.
Target groups of the practice: Athlete, parent, coach, volunteer, administrator, officer or other participant
Background: Being concerned by the phenomenon of violence in sport, we consulted the various stakeholders related to sport activities. Consequently, we agreed with various partners to develop and provide an online information platform dealing with and presenting the various manifestations of violence in sport and their consequences in addition to the rights and responsibilities for safe sport environments.
Summary:
The objective: Disseminate information and raise awareness. Help all members of the sporting community to understand, manage and, above all, eradicate violence in all its forms from the sport environment.
The partners: Sport’Aide, Quebec Government, Ministry of Education, Sports Québec, Chair for Safety and Integrity in Sports at Laval University.
How it was developed: A working committee of the various relevant partners met for months to develop the framework and relevant topics and sections. Then, Sport’Aide developed and wrote the topics and sections. Finally, we consulted legal services to validate the legal aspects related to the topics particularly the ones related to rights and responsibilities.
Actions put in place: In October 2017 the implementation of SportBienÊtre.ca happened. In June 2018, the integration of a live chat – led by Sport’Aide staff – allowing users to ask questions occurred.
Since October 2017, more than three million people have consulted the platform.
Sports and Youth Activities Communication Counsellor
Organisation responsible: Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Iceland
Target groups of the practice: Anyone who participates in organised sport or youth associations can consult the communication counsellor regarding any bullying or violence they believe they have suffered in their sport or youth activities.
Background: Due to the #metoo public debate and reports from sportswomen it was recognised that action was needed to assist those involved in sport and youth activities. With laws nr.45/2019 the foundation for the Communication Counsellor was established. An agreement was made between the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and a health clinic that hired the sports and youth activities communication counsellor. The services of the counsellor are free of charge.
Summary: The Communication Counsellor is an independent role which supports, guides and assists those who have experienced violence or bullying in sport and youth activities. The position is based on law confirmed in 2019. The main objectives of the counsellor are to actively share information with clubs and federations about incidents and wrongdoings with the aim of increasing knowledge and promoting appropriate reactions. The counsellor should assist individuals and organisations on how to file a complaint. The role is responsible for actively monitoring research and other developments in this field. The ministry of Education, Science and Culture is responsible for the Communication Counsellor. The counsellor’s remit applies to members of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, Youth Association of Iceland and those affected by the Youth Act and/or receive state funding. COVID-19 has heavily influenced the first year of the youth counsellor’s activity.
Timeframe: The sports and youth counsellor started the practice in early 2020.
Guiding principle
Organisation responsible: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), United Kingdom
Target groups of the practice: Coaches, sport leaders, organisations and Child Safeguarding Officers
Background: This tool looks at each element of an effective case management process.
Summary: The objective of this resource is to simplify and create a step-by-step process for sport organisations as they deal with cases.
Timeframe: Self-learning resource with templates for organisations and individuals to adapt.
More information available here
