Safe Sport

Special Olympics BC recognizes our responsibility to prioritize creating a safe sport environment free of abuse, harassment, or discrimination for all participants, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, and administrators

Bullying & Harassment

Please click here to find Special Olympics BC's anti-bullying resources for athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

 

Special Olympics Safe Sport Policies

Special Olympics Canada and its Chapters recognize the development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. We are developing a pan-Canadian suite of policies in partnership with the Sport Law and Strategy Group. 

As part of Special Olympics BC's commitment to Safe Sport, our staff and leadership have completed safe sport training. 

Our policies

Our Volunteer Screening

Special Olympics Canada and its Chapters each have adopted comprehensive screening policies to help ensure safe and high-quality program experiences for all athletes. The policies require some individuals to pass a screening process before they are permitted to interact with Special Olympics athletes.

Learn more about SOBC's volunteer onboarding process

Independent Third Party

Our Safe Sport Policy says that anyone involved with Special Olympics BC who wants to report any instance of misconduct or maltreatment should first report it to Special Olympics BC so we can work to resolve the matter. 

If it’s not practical or preferred for the person to report the issue to Special Olympics BC directly, the person making the report can bring it to SOBC’s Independent Third Party. The Honourable James Sutherland, a Judge for the Provincial Court of British Columbia, is Special Olympics BC's Independent Third Party. The Independent Third Party will decide what is the best way to proceed to address and resolve the complaint.

Judge Sutherland can be reached at arbitrator.sutherland@gmail.com.

 

Canadian Safe Sport Helpline

Canadian Sport Helpline icon

Are you a victim or witness of harassment, abuse, or discrimination in sport? Contact the Canadian Sport Helpline to share your concerns and be referred to the appropriate resources. Thanks to financial support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Sport Helpline is a service that is free and accessible to all in both official languages.

Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) 7 days a week, it is anonymous, confidential, and independent.

CALL 1-888-83SPORT (77678)
EMAIL INFO@ABUSE-FREE-SPORT.CA

 

Practice of Two

What is the Practice of Two?

Special Olympics BC strives to work together with coaches, volunteers, athletes, staff, and stakeholders to achieve the Practice of Two, providing support in potentially vulnerable situations. SOBC’s goal is to ensure no one is put in a vulnerable situation, and to provide a safe environment for all in any SOBC program, event, or meeting. Special Olympics BC is working to educate all members all on the Practice of Two and how they can implement this within their sport experience.

SOBC Practice of Two handout

How can I apply the Practice of Two in a virtual setting?

CAC infographic

 

Concussion Resources

Special Olympics Canada recognizes that participation in any sport or physical activity has some risk of head injuries, including concussions.

concussion resources page 

 

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

These steps guide all Special Olympics BC programs and events, helping all members protect each other from illness.

Find the plan

 

Responsible Coaching Movement

Responsible coaching helps coaches to support your participants’ right to a safe, positive environment. Here are some ways to protect your athletes and yourself both on and off the field of play.

CAC Responsible Coaching Movement homepage

 

viaSport British Columbia Resources

PlaySafeBC.ca

 

Program Quality

As an Accredited provincial sport organization supported by the Government of British Columbia and viaSport British Columbia, Special Olympics BC delivers high-quality sport programs that meet and exceed standards for ethical, safe, inclusive, and quality operations. Accredited organizations are a sport or sport discipline’s authoritative body, operating in at least five regions in B.C., and with responsibility for oversight, growth, and development. 

 

Find more SOBC resources