Safe Sport
BC Soccer is committed to supporting soccer in BC in its widest sense, which includes understanding the differences in our communities. There has been much work done in recent years to improve in this area, including the third party Safe Sport Assessment conducted in 2019 and the recent work of BC Soccer’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee that has led to the introduction of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.
Building on from this work, BC Soccer recognizes inequity and discrimination exists among us in society, which extends to sport. We are committed to Safe Sport and the soccer community in BC must continue to learn, discuss, and support needed change. We need to proactively support action to combat acts of injustice and ensure a safe space for everyone. BC Soccer, through our Safe Sport Activity will continue to listen and learn and be open to implement change if we are going to make progress towards a better future for all participants. Collectively we need to do better, be leaders in equality, equity and non-discrimination and be part of the solution. We’re all in this together, let’s do our part.
Safe Sport Position Statement:
BC Soccer believes that everyone involved in soccer has the right to participate in safe and inclusive environments free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and to enjoy the sport at whatever level or capacity they participate in.
The welfare of everyone involved in soccer is the foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children in the sport is the responsibility of everyone involved.
As part of BC Soccer’s commitment to Safe Sport:
All the language contained in the British Columbia Universal Code of Conduct (BC UCC) has ben accepted - www.viasport.ca/bc-universal-code-of-conduct.
Our staff and board have completed Commit to Kids training and encourage all those involved in soccer within our members, and beyond, to do the same
If you, or someone close to you has been the victim of unacceptable behaviour, please use the resources below.
If you think anyone has been harmed, regardless of age, please report to the Police or RCMP.
If you think a child or youth under 19 years of age is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker.
Phone: 1-800-663-9122 (any time of the day or night) Website: CLICK HERE Alternatively Contact the Police or RCMP
BC Provincial Government VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual telephone service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.
Phone: 1-800-563-0808 or 604-875-0885 E-mail: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca Website: CLICK HERE
The Crisis Centre has been providing emotional support to youth, adults and seniors in distress since 1969. As a safe place to turn when there seems to be no hope, the Crisis Centre is operated by 425+ frontline volunteers and a small team of professional staff who support and empower individuals to see their own strengths and options, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Website: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ (the site includes various phone and chat services)
The National Safe Sport Hotline is designed to ensure that Canadian sport participants of all levels compete in a safe and welcoming environment.
Please visit the link below for more details regarding the advice, guidance and resources they can provide on how to proceed/intervene appropriately in the circumstance you are faced with.
Abuse Free Sport website: www.http://abuse-free-sport.ca/en/ Abuse Free Sport e-mail: info@abuse-free-sport.ca Abuse Free Sport phone/text: 1-888-83SPORT (1-888-837-7678)
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual exploitation of children.
Website: https://www.cybertip.ca/app/en/
Canada Soccer has an established independent whistleblower hotline, operated by a third party, which provides a secure location to lodge complaints or share information anonymously.
Whistleblower Hotline: 1-800-661-9675 Whistleblower e-mail: whistleblower@canadasoccer.com Read more about the Canada Soccer WhistleBlower program.
