Safe Sport Glossary
This glossary summarizes some of the terms in the Safe Sport Code that you should know. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every participant in the sports, physical education, Olympic and Paralympic Movement is responsible for knowing the information outlined here.
Aiding and Abetting
Example: A gym owner knows that a coach was made Ineligible by the Competent Authority due to misconduct but still hires them to train athletes at the gym.
Bullying Behaviour
Bullying Behaviour is repeated behaviour or a single, severe incident directed at an athlete. The behaviour is intended or likely to hurt, control, or tear down that person emotionally, physically, or sexually. It can be: Physical: hitting, beating up, spitting at, or throwing objects at someone; stealing, hiding, destroying, or interfering with someone’s property Verbal, written, or visual: ridiculing, name-calling, taunting, or threatening to harm someone; using gestures to threaten or intimidate Social (including cyberbullying): spreading rumours or lies to harm someone’s reputation; socially excluding them and asking others to do the same; using technology to harass, frighten, intimidate, or humiliate them; posting real or manipulated harmful content online Discriminatory: Bullying Behaviour directed at someone because of their age, ethnicity, looks, culture, religion, regional origin, or disability Criminal conduct: any conduct described as bullying under law When done to Adults, these behaviours could qualify as other violations of the SafeSport Code, such as Hazing or Harassment. Bullying does not include petty slights, minor inconveniences, or lack of good manners, unless these behaviours are repeated or very aggressive.
Example: Throughout their season, athletes on an under-15 team have been leaving mean comments on a teammate’s social media account
Child Abuse
Child Abuse is hurting a child's body or mind, sexually abusing or using a child, or not properly caring for a child. It includes anything that the law calls child abuse
Example: A 10-year-old athlete says the teachers hit them when they get angry.
Consent
Consent means a person freely and clearly uses words or actions to say they want to take part in a specific sexual activity, and they understand what they are agreeing to. Clear actions can show Consent, but staying silent is not Consent. Agreeing to one activity does not mean agreeing to others. A person can take back their Consent at any time, using clear words or actions. A person cannot give Consent if: •They are being forced •They are Incapacitated (for example, because of alcohol, drugs, or a health condition) •There is a Power Imbalance •They are under the legal age of Consent In the SafeSport Code, the age of Consent is 18. There is one exception: when both people are within three years of age of each other, and there is no Power Imbalance
Example: Two 21-year-old athletes talk and agree together to start a romantic relationship.
Cyber Abuse
Cyber Abuse is using technology to harass, scare, or hurt someone. For example, posting a rumour on social media or sending threats by text. It includes doxing, sharing someone's personal information without their permission. It also includes sharing real or fake sexual images, sexual comments and jokes without their Consent.
Example: An athlete posts a teammate's phone number on social media and encourages others to harass them
Emotional Misconduct
Emotional Misconduct includes: •Words: attacking someone with words again and again — for example, name-calling, body-shaming, or making fun of them •Physical actions: being aggressive again and again or very badly — for example, throwing equipment at someone or punching walls near them •Ignoring someone: leaving someone out or ignoring them for a long time, or often excluding them from activities or coaching for no good reason •Stalking: following, watching, threatening, or messaging someone on purpose and again and again — in person or online — in a way that would reasonably scare or upset them or people close to them •Against the law: any behaviour that the law of the land calls emotional abuse, such as child abuse or neglect A person's actions can count as Emotional Misconduct even if they did not mean to cause harm. Emotional Misconduct does not include things that are a normal part of sport. For example, a coach can talk with a wrestler about how to manage their weight, but must not make fun of them or shame their body.
Example: When teaching new skills, a coach corrects every athlete's grip except one athlete, who the coach completely ignores.
