Webinars 

Addressing a wide range of areas, these webinars aim to enhance our community’s understanding of the Abuse-Free Sport program and its services, while also serving as a key education source with regard to safe sport. The session topics are often identified through feedback from the sport community and will help to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe experiences for all.

These webinars are presented bilingually via simultaneous interpretation. Registration is free and open to all in the sport community.

Session #1 - Cultural Shift and Organizational Buy-in: Best Practices for Sport Organizations

Wednesday December 18, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Shifting organizational culture to genuinely embrace and prioritize safe sport can be challenging, yet it is essential for fostering healthy and safe experiences for all participants. Preventing maltreatment and enhancing organizational culture requires a commitment from members at every level of sport. This webinar will explore the positive behaviours and best practices that administrators can adopt and promote in order to engage their members in supporting safe sport initiatives. We will draw on common recommendations identified by safe sport research and Sport Environment Assessments (a process of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner) to guide organizations in their cultural transformation towards a stronger commitment to safe sport.

Speakers:

• Joseph Gurgis, Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

• Rachel Nicol, Athlete and Survivor Engagement Coordinator, Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC)

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Session #2 - Preserving Relationships When Safe Sport Disputes Arise

Wednesday January 15, 2025 @ 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Engaging in safe sport disputes can contribute to tension and cause a strain on relationships within a sport organization. This webinar will explore effective strategies for repairing and rebuilding these relationships, to help organizations reduce animosity and discord, while maintaining team cohesion. We will examine methods of conciliation such as mediation and restorative justice, and highlight how these approaches can be used strategically to preserve and strengthen the bonds between an organization and its members. By fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect, sport organizations can create a healthier and more collaborative environment for all members.

Speakers:

• Elana Liberman, Safe Sport Lead, Sport Nova Scotia

• Jacob Glover, The Restorative Lab

• Emma Spence, SDRCC Athlete Advisory Committee (gymnastics)

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Session #3 - Abuse-Free Sport Policy Templates for Sport Organizations of all Levels

Wednesday March 5, @ 1:00 p.m. (EST)

In Canada, safe sport policies implemented by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner to manage complaints/reports of maltreatment currently only apply to national team-level sport organizations and signatories of the Abuse-Free Sport program, leaving other levels of sport largely unregulated in this critical area. This jurisdictional gap creates inconsistencies across the sport system. To address this issue, the Abuse-Free Sport program has created six comprehensive policy templates, accompanied by an implementation guide, which can be tailored to meet the unique characteristics and needs of organizations within the Canadian sport system at all levels. This webinar will outline the purpose of each policy template, demonstrate how to utilize them effectively, and provide guidance for sport administrators as they work to implement or enhance their own safe sport policies.

Guest Speakers:

• Owen Bravo, Education and Policy Support Coordinator, Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC)

• Liddia Touch Kol, Resource Centre Manager, Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC)

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Session #1 - What is the role of sport leaders in fostering safe sport environments? 

Download the program here.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #2 - How to apply an intersectional lens to create safe sport environments

Download the program here.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #3 - Best practices for communicating safe sport policies to stakeholders 

Download the program here.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #1 - Opening Conversation with the Commissioner

Introduction of the Commissioner and an invitation to participants for dialogue and contribution in relation to important aspects of the OSIC mandate.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #2 - What is the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS)?

An overview of the UCCMS and summarize the changes seen in the updated version 6.0.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #3 – Education and Prevention

The different components of Abuse-Free Sport for all levels of sport, support services available and discussion about the advancement of safe sport education and prevention.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #4 – Addressing a Maltreatment or Discrimination Concern

An overview of the OSIC processes, including complaint management and Sport Environment Assessments, OSIC authority and jurisdiction, and reporting obligations.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.

Session #5 – Closing Conversation with the Commissioner

A look back on 2022 and a look ahead at 2023.

For a copy of the recording, please email education@crdsc-sdrcc.ca.