Freestyle Canada and Abuse-Free Sport
Freestyle Canada is pleased to announce that we have signed on to Abuse-Free Sport, 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, Freestyle Canada, is an active player in this movement.
Their role is to work with federally funded sport organizations to address alleged violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and to provide an independent mechanism to address allegations of maltreatment and discrimination in sport involving individual UCCMS participants of organizations that have signed onto the program.
Reporting Abuse
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.
Freestyle Canada will have access to the services of the Office as of December 31, 2022. Prior to this date, the current process as outlined in Freestyle Canada’s current Safe Sport policies will apply.
It is important to note that this reporting mechanism only applies in situations where the Respondent to a complaint has been designated as a UCCMS Participant by Freestyle Canada. If the Respondent is an individual who has not been identified as a Freestyle Canada UCCMS Participant, they are not subject to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner process and any complaint against them must be processed through the Freestyle Canada Safe Sport policies.
