FIG Education Commission Report

Existing Educational Programs in Safeguarding

The FIG Working Group to Prevent Harassment and Abuse asked for a review of the material
which exists for education and awareness to prevent Harassment and Abuse. Hardy Fink has
done this review for the Commission and below is an overview of some of the websites and online
courses which exist and which the national federations may wish to review and possibly use.
Some courses are with registration and fees for users. Connections and collaboration would have
to be undertaken by federations before they can be used.

ONLINE COURSES OVERVIEW

Respect in Sport: Canada (available in English & French)

https://gymnasticscanada.respectgroupinc.com/
https://parent.respectgroupinc.com/

This is probably the best overall course process. There is one for activity leaders that takes at
least 3 hours and one for parents that takes about an hour.
Activity Leader Curriculum (attached as Appendix 1)
It has quite a focus on abuse, bullying and harassment and how they differ and how they
overlap; how to recognize them, how to deal with them, etc.

Gymnastics Victoria: Australia

http://www.gymnasticsvictoria.org.au/VIC/Child_Protection_Information/VIC/About_Us/Child_Pr
otection.aspx?hkey=334f45da-2888-462c-8d81-454b79d457b0

Child Safe Program with many components – Can be sued for all sports and adult-child
interactions – based on State of Victoria “Betrayal of Trust” inquiry.
This Program from Gymnastics Victoria guides you to the various modules. The Gymnastics
Victoria process still requires completion of all modules but, in any order you wish. (attached as
Appendix 2)
Gymnastics Safeguarding: British Gymnastics

https://www.british-gymnastics.org/academy/my/

Two parts – Safeguarding Foundation is ideal for 16-17, year old athletes, who want to be
coaches. It is useful for all that have not had much exposure to such issues and a Safeguarding
refresher for all. (attached as Appendix 3)

IOC Athlete Gateway – Safeguarding Athletes

http://onlinecourse.olympic.org/course/baseview.php?id=39

This online course is very rudimentary and allows one to skip all of the instruction videos to go
straight to the rather easy three questions. The case studies at the end are interesting and they
are not required. This is the IOC effort to bring some educational knowledge to all countries of
the world without any costs. (Appendix 4)

Summary
Respect in Sport is very linear as is the GBR Safeguarding Program, meaning you have to go
step by step in sequence and can’t go to the next without having completed the previous.
That may be a matter of taste and it may be better to do it this way so that previous knowledge
can be referred to. The Gymnastics Victoria process still requires you to complete all modules
but, in any order.
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4

INTERNATIONAL
OLYMPIC
COMMITTEE
Safeguarding Athletes from Harassment and Abuse
Why join this course?
Sport offers a number of physical, psychological and social benefits however it is not immune from wider
societal ills. Research demonstrates that harassment and abuse can and does occur in sport, just as it occurs
outside of sport.
Harassment and abuse presents a serious risk to an athlete’s health, participation and performance. By
understanding what is meant by the term harassment and abuse and importantly, our role in safeguarding
athletes, we as a sporting community can tackle it head on and help keep sport safe for all.
In this course Dr Margo Mountjoy, an associate professor from McMaster University in Canada and
Sheldon Kennedy, a former professional Ice Hockey player share their personal insights and experiences to
help you understand the topic and empower you to be part of the solution.

Is this for me?

Yes! This course has been designed for all; athletes, coaches, entourage and organisation members -
everyone has a role in safeguarding athletes.

What will I learn?

1. What may constitute harassment and abuse;
2. What the signs of harassment and abuse may be;
3. Why harassment and abuse may happen;
4. How you can play a role in safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sport;

This course will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Once completed, why not share your thoughts
with fellow athletes, coaches and organisation members from around the world in our dedicated community
space. Just click on the Join the Community Discussion button to get started.

Receive your certificate of achievement by winning gold.

 Get Bronze for watching all course videos

 Earn Silver by completing all course tasks
 Win Gold for getting 100% in the quiz

Topic outline
 Lessons
1. What is harassment and Abuse (11 min) lesson/ 2. Recognising the signs (10 min) lesson/

3. Understanding your role (13 min) lesson/ 4. What can organisations do (9 min) lesson/