How to Prevent Abuse in Sports

It is always disturbing to learn of the occurrence of abuse in sport. Abuse can come in many forms: sexual, physical, and emotional. Coaches, teachers, instructors, staff, volunteers, medical personnel, fellow athletes and others who have access may perpetrate an abuse. Youth especially need protection, since they are a particularly vulnerable population. Consequentially, abuse is damaging.  So how can we prevent abuse in sports?

Background Checks. Coaches, staff and volunteers should undergo criminal background checks, particularly if working around youth. These background checks should also be regularly updated.
 
Open Doors. Often practices and training sessions may be closed to parents and other adults. This may be done with the intent to allow athletes and coaches to focus on training without distraction or disruption. However, these closed sessions can allow abuse to flourish unchecked. Consider if there is an alternative to closed sessions or at least a way for them to be recorded or observed. Ideally conversations will be had with open doors and in the presence of more than two people. Locker rooms, training rooms and hotel rooms may be particularly vulnerable locations for which separate policies may need developed. Knowing that someone may be listening or watching could be enough to discourage abuse.
 
Education. Athletes, coaches, parents, officials and others key individuals should be educated how abuse can happen and how to recognize it and respond when it does happen.  This can take the form of training and education materials.
 
Communication.  Athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and others involved in a sports organization should clearly understand what constitutes abuse and the consequences for engaging in abuse. These policies should be in writing and ideally acknowledged and agreed to with a person’s signature. Policies should be posted or distributed in accessible places. Frequent reminders to those involved with the organization will help reinforce your policies on abuse.
 
Auditing. Unannounced drop-in’s or observations may thwart opportunities for abuse.  Athletes should also have the opportunity to evaluate coaches and staff. Monitoring public social media accounts may also expose inappropriate behavior.
 
Reporting. Athletes should know how to report instances of abuse. This could include designating support advocates to whom athletes can report initial accusations of abuse. You should identify an external agency, like one that is designated by the state to act as a resource for reports of abuse. You may also choose to have a choice among trained advocates who are affiliated with the organization (parents, volunteers).
 
Consequences. A strong display of enforcement against of abusers may act as a deterrent to prevent future abuse.
 
Ultimately, everyone in the sporting community should be empowered to speak out against abuse.