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Canada’s national sports organizations for volleyball, swimming and athletics have launched a new Safe Sport Education for Youth Program for athletes aged 13 to 19. The free program covers essential topics such as recognizing and reporting abuse, setting boundaries and promoting healthy relationships within sports communities.
A major study by Sport Canada in 2021 revealed concerning rates of maltreatment and abuse among athletes: 1 in 5 athletes reported experiencing some form of cruel or violent treatment in sport (physical, emotional or sexual abuse). 2 in 5 athletes experienced emotional abuse or neglect, and 13% of athletes reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or abuse. While there are numerous Safe Sport education resources available for coaches and adults, the national sport organizations recognized a lack of resources tailored to the unique experiences and challenges young athletes face.
Across all three sports, youth make up a large portion of the participants. The Safe Sport curriculum delivers eight interactive modules and engaging discussions designed to equip youth with critical knowledge and skills to help them navigate potential risks and protect themselves and others. The educational resources are available in English and French and also include support resources for users targeting any information that may cause discomfort.
“We know that Safe Sport is not just a priority—it’s a responsibility we all share,” said Athletics Canada CEO Mathieu Gentès. “With the Safe Sport Education Resources for Youth, we’re taking important steps to engage younger athletes and provide them with the tools they need to stay safe. We encourage all Canadian athletes and sports organizations to take advantage of this platform and contribute to building a safer, more inclusive environment for all.”
The platform also includes ‘The Athlete’s Voice,’ a series of videos in which some of Canada’s top athletes in swimming, athletics and volleyball share their perspectives on why safe sport is essential, including Damian Warner (athletics), Marissa Papaconstantinou (Para Athletics), Finlay Knox (swimming), Javier Acevedo (swimming), Ella Jansen (swimming) and Marie-Alex Bélanger (volleyball).
Although the videos incorporate footage from the three national bodies sports, the principles covered are applicable to athletes in any sport. In the future, plans are to expand the platform’s offerings to include resources on topics such as mental health, body image, disordered eating, concussion safety, and bullying.
By offering these educational tools to young athletes, the organizations hope to foster a culture of safety and respect across Canadian sports. This initiative takes a step toward ensuring that all athletes, regardless of age or discipline, can compete in environments where they feel protected and empowered to speak up when necessary.
Safe Sport Education for Youth is made possible by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Return to Sport Funding grant program. To access the resources, visit www.safesportforyouth.org.
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