Safe Sport
The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation (the “COC”) stand for safe sport that is free of maltreatment of any kind. We all play a role in creating a healthy culture that fosters safe sport practice and offers athletes, coaches and all members of the sport community strong resources in education and reporting.
The presence of maltreatment in sport requires a concerted and systemic effort by a variety of different organizations and governments to come together and identify solutions and clearly define roles and responsibilities. The COC is committed to using its unique role in the sport system in Canada and its network, resources and capacity to do its part to ensure that safe sport is the standard. The health and safety of all who play or work for Team Canada will always remain top priority.
On December 1, 2022, the COC formally adopted the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and joined Abuse-Free Sport, the independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport in Canada. The COC, and its stakeholders now have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which is responsible for the administration of the UCCMS for the COC and serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport.
Filing a Complaint Regarding COC Participants
The UCCMS sets out our expectations for conduct and behaviour to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences. The UCCMS generally applies to all participants involved in COC activities including but not limited to all events over which the COC has jurisdiction such as the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, Youth Olympic Games and Junior Pan American Games as well as all other events and activities organized or hosted by the COC.
We expect that any individual involved in COC activities and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in Canada, conduct themselves with integrity and to the highest standards of conduct, in accordance with the COC and Olympic values, as well as the UCCMS. Pursuant to the UCCMS, participants must report any actual or suspected cases of maltreatment to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner by following the process laid out on OSIC’s website: https://sportintegritycommissioner.ca/ . OSIC is responsible for administering the UCCMS using trauma-informed processes that are compassionate, efficient and provide fairness, respect and equity to all parties involved.
Alternatively, individuals can report a concern in accordance with the COC’s Whistleblowing Policy. Please note that all reports of Maltreatment made in accordance with the COC’s Whistleblowing Policy may be redirected to OSIC, in accordance with the COC’s Duty to Report obligation under the UCCMS.
How To File a Complaint Regarding NSOs
Each National Sport Organization has its own complaint procedures. We encourage you to visit the individual NSO’s website for their respective policies and procedures.
Alternatively, you can contact Canadian Sport Helpline, a bilingual national toll-free confidential helpline for harassment, abuse and discrimination. The Helpline provides a safe place for victims and witnesses of incidents of harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport to discuss their concerns.
The Canadian Sport Helpline will provide callers with advice on the next steps they can take, as well as direct them to the most appropriate national and local services and resources available to them, including the police, child protection services, existing provincial/territorial helplines, or any other relevant services. It provides professional listening and referral services by phone and text at 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) and by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
Resources
Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS)