Safe Sport

Safe Sport

swimming Canada Safe Sport Overview

Swimming Canada believes that everyone in the sport has the right to enjoy the sport at whatever level or position they participate. Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competitive environment that is free of abuse, harassment or discrimination.

Swimming Canada believes the welfare of everyone involved in the sport is a foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children/athletes in the sport is the responsibility of each individual, member and special interest group in the swimming community.

Safe Sport Operational Statement

The Swimming Canada safe sport program will focus on three key areas: education, prevention and response, all of which will be supported by strong governance, policies and procedures. The goal is to ensure that all members and registrants of Swimming Canada, at all levels, have the resources to provide and access a fun, healthy, inclusive and safe environment.

Safe Sport Framework

This program is made possible by the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Government of Canada and the membership of Swimming Canada.

Independent Third party

[email protected]

You may contact the Independent third party at [email protected] . This person (L. Maclean)  will guide you through the complaints process and/or explore other options.  This Independent Official is empowered to supersede Swimming Canada staff and launch appropriate policies as required based on evidence or a situation reported.  Your contact with the independent third party is confidential, subject to certain legal limits. The independent third party is a certified workplace harassment resources/investigator.  For general disputes, you are encouraged to try to resolve your situation at the club or provincial level before contacting Swimming Canada.

Abuse-Free Sport is an independent program that is part of a growing national movement to rid Canadian sport of all forms of harassment, discrimination and abuse. As a Program Signatory, Swimming Canada is an active player in this movement. Unlike the previous approach, where each national sport organization created its own system for dealing with complaints of maltreatment, this is a centralized “one-stop shop.” It is independent and led by experts in their fields, using education and research to prevent maltreatment at all levels of sport.

The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (the Office) serves as the central hub. It operates independently to administer complaints about alleged violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). Where there are admissible allegations of abuse, harassment or discrimination, the Office conducts independent investigations and recommends sanctions against individuals who violate the UCCMS. The Office will also maintain a national sanctions registry, which prevents individuals from evading sanctions be moving in different sports or in different jurisdictions.

For designated participants within our organization, there is access to a wide range of resources, including victim services and referrals to specialized mental health professionals and experienced lawyers – all of it available in English and French.

The Abuse-free Sport Helpline

1-888-837-7678 – [email protected]

The Helpline is a listening and referral service that aims to encourage people to speak openly and to validate their concerns regarding situations they feel are unacceptable. This service is free, anonymous, confidential, and independent, offered in both official languages. The Helpline is available to all Canadians, regardless of their sport, level of participation, or where they live within the country. You do not have to be a participant of an Abuse-Free Sport signatory organization to access the Helpline. You can reach them by phone, text, or email.

Swimming Canada Members

Swimming Canada recognizes the effort from its provincial members and the CSCA to support Safe Sport as a priority in the swimming community. We encourage all swimmers, parents, coaches, and clubs to seek out more information about their local Provincial safe sport guidelines: