Safe Sport
Safe sport is a prevalent ethical issue in Canadian sport. The entire sport ecosystem stands to lose if we do not collectively foster a fundamental culture change that minimizes the threats to sport and ensures safe sport experiences for all participants. Safe sport is everyone's responsibility.
If left unchecked, maltreatment will continue to threaten the health and safety of participants and undermine Canadians’ trust and confidence in sport. Canadians should have a reasonable expectation that sport lives up to the general principles and commitment of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), resulting in sport that is accessible, inclusive, respects participants’ goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment.
The CCES has adopted the UCCMS and embraces the new process in place to combat all forms of maltreatment in sport.
Moreover, we must accept that the absence of maltreatment is not good enough. The CCES believes that sport organizations at all levels can create positive, safe, and inclusive environments by using the True Sport Principles as an upstream approach to the prevention of maltreatment and the promotion of safe sport.
The CCES is honoured to work with partners to protect athletes from all forms of maltreatment. These are the current resources available to the Canadian sport comunity.
Safe Sport
Starting in spring 2022, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada will be home of Canada’s Independent Safe Sport Mechanism.
Canadian Sport Helpline
This national toll-free helpline offers help to victims or witnesses of harassment, abuse or discrimination in sport.
Responsible Coaching Movement
Take the RCM pledge to show your commitment to safe, smart and secure sport.
Safe Sport (UCCMS)
Maltreatment in all its forms is a serious issue that undermines the health, well-being, performance and security of individuals, communities, and society.
In Canada, the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) provides the foundation for the development of a coordinated implementation strategy to prevent and address maltreatment across all levels of the sport system, and for all participants, such as athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and practitioners. The document is a result of an extensive consultation process that sought insight and expertise from within the sport system and from external subject matter experts.
The UCCMS defines the sexual, physical and psychological forms of maltreatment that are prohibited in sport and outlines appropriate sanctions for individuals who violate the UCCMS or engage in maltreatment.
In April 2022, the Government of Canada announced that the UCCMS must be adopted into the rules of all federally funded sport organizations.
Starting in spring 2022, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada will be home of Canada’s Independent Safe Sport Mechanism and will administer the UCCMS.
Canadian Sport Helpline
The Canadian Sport Helpline is a national toll-free helpline offering assistance to victims or witnesses of harassment, abuse or discrimination in sport.
Offered in partnership by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport (CCMHS), this anonymous, confidential, independent service allows people to share and validate their concerns, obtain guidance on required next steps, and get referrals to other resources for follow up.
A CCMHS team of practitioners with expertise in counselling, psychology and sport act as helpline operators.
Access the helpline toll free from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time), seven days a week by telephone, text, live chat or email in both official languages.
- Visit: abuse-free-sport.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Call or text: 1-888-83SPORT (1-888-837-7678)
The Canadian Sport Helpline is funded by Government of Canada.
Responsible Coaching Movement
The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a call to action for sport organizations, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada – on and off the field of play.
Established by the Coaching Association of Canada and the CCES, the RCM invites all coaches and sport organizations to learn and apply consistent safety principles.
It includes three distinct pillars, each serving to create a sport environment that is Safe, Smart, and Secure. Each pillar provides crucial elements, resources, and processes to follow:
The RCM encourages sport organizations across Canada to pledge their commitment to implement these fundamental safety principles at every level of sport. Take the pledge!
To learn more about how to protect participants and coaches while fostering a positive sport culture, visit the RCM website.