CBSA JOINING ABUSE-FREE SPORT ON MARCH 31, 2023


Canadian Blind Sports Association (CBSA) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

Canadian Blind Sports Association and its stakeholders – Athletes, Board of Directors, Coaches, Officials and Staff at the national level – will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than March 31, 2023.

“The Canadian Blind Sports Association recognizes that safe sport is everyone’s responsibility. We’re fully committed to doing our part to support a growing national movement that is changing the culture of sport in this country. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport as well as to have the OSIC administer our safe sport complaints” Launel Scott, President of the Canadian Blind Sport Association said. “The sport community has been asking for such a specific consistent national program. It is an important step forward for everyone involved in sport in Canada.”

During the transition period, CBSA is completing full adoption of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which it must do before it can become part of the Abuse-Free Sport program, and making the required policy changes.

CBSA participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services. In January of 2021 the CBSA appointed independent safe sport officers with whom any person within the CBSA sports system, at any level, may contact to report any incidents of abuse or harassment of any kind. These officers are available to communicate in English or French. In addition, officers identifying as male or female are available, based upon the preference of the complainant. The officers may be reached directly and independently through the email address safesport_wwdrs@primus.ca. This is a confidential email address which will only be accessed by one of the independent Safe Sport Officers.

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program HERE, on the OSIC HERE, and on CBSA website at Canadian Blind Sports

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marc Seguin
Executive Director / Directeur exécutif
ed@canadianblindsports.ca
Phone : 1-877-604-0480