In the world of sports, safety and respect are paramount. In Canada, this is where the Universal Code of Conduct for Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and the concept of Safe Sport come into play (for USA – see https://uscenterforsafesport.org/). In this blog post, we’ll explore what these terms mean and how they work to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all athletes.
What is the UCCMS?
The UCCMS is a core document that sets harmonized rules to be adopted by sport organizations that receive funding from the Government of Canada. Its purpose is to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences.
The UCCMS addresses several key areas:
- Common principles and a commitment to advance a respectful sport culture
- Standard definitions of various forms of maltreatment, including grooming, neglect, and physical, sexual, and psychological abuse
- A list of other prohibited behavior such as retaliation, failure to report maltreatment, intentionally filing false allegations, misuse of power, etc.
- A framework for determining appropriate sanctions against such prohibited behavior
What is Safe Sport?
Safe Sport is a set of principles aimed at protecting all athletes and sport participants from abuse, harassment, and general maltreatment. The principles recognize that relationships between athletes and coaches can be extremely personal and dependent, and these conditions can create an environment where athletes become vulnerable to abuse, manipulation, and harassment.
Safe Sport principles are meant to apply broadly to also protect coaches, volunteers, and other participants. They look not only to combat flagrant criminal conduct (such as sexual abuse or assault), but also more nuanced and emotional abuse arising from “tough love” coaching techniques (verbal abuse, hazing, discrimination, and inappropriate training demands for example).
The Safe Sport Process
The Safe Sport process involves several steps:
- Reporting: Any incidents of maltreatment can be reported to the relevant authorities. This could be a coach, a team manager, or a designated safe sport officer within the organization.
- Investigation: Once a report is made, an investigation is launched to gather all the relevant facts and evidence.
- Decision: Based on the findings of the investigation, a decision is made about whether the UCCMS has been violated.
- Sanctions: If a violation has occurred, appropriate sanctions are determined and implemented.
In conclusion, the UCCMS and Safe Sport are crucial elements in ensuring a safe and respectful environment in sports. By understanding these concepts and processes, athletes, parents, and all sport participants can contribute to a culture of respect and safety in sports.
More information can be found at:
- UCCMS 2022 Complete Document: sportintegritycommissioner.ca
- SICR: sirc.ca
- Safety in Sport: canada.ca
- CCES: cces.ca