Safety in Sport
Everyone in British Columbia deserves sport experiences that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive, where participants can thrive, develop, and have fun.
Leading sport safety in British Columbia
Safety is not optional in sport. It is a a core responsibility of every sport organization.
As the provincial leader in sport safety, we identify system-wide gaps, establish safety standards, and support sport organizations in implementing best practices that protect everyone in sport.
Through a human rights lens, sport organizations have a duty of care to create environments free from harm, discrimination, abuse, and misconduct.
Policy and Standards
We support the development and alignment of safety policies across the sport sector by:
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Establishing and promoting provincial safety standards, including support for the adoption and implementation of the UCCMS.
- Working with Provincial and Local Sport Organizations (DSOs and LSOs) to strengthen policies and reporting processes.
Leadership and Governance
Safety begins with strong leadership. We work with sport organizations to:
- Embed participant safety into governance and decision-making.
- Build organizational capacity to address risk and respond to concerns effectively.
- Providing guidance, resources, and tools to help sport organizations meet safety expectations.
Public Awareness and Knowledge
Creating safer sport environments requires more than policies and governance. Participants, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, and sport leaders all play a role in making sport safe.
Through PlaySafe, viaSport works to increase awareness, understanding, and shared responsibility for safe participation in sport across British Columbia.
Making sport safer using principles of Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a well-developed concept in sport internationally, focused on preventing and addressing harm with a particular focus on children and vulnerable adults. It refers to the policies, practices, leadership, education, and accountability measures that are the foundation of each sport organization. The International Safeguards for Children in Sport outline eight safeguards that form the basis of viaSport’s work. These are the conditions that must be in place for sport environments to be safe.
viaSport is currently advancing safer recruitment practices, one of the eight Safeguards, across the BC sport sector to help organizations make informed hiring, screening, and management decisions.
Tools and Resources
viaSport is committed to leading a culture that prioritizes positive sport experiences that are safe for everyone in BC. We work with our Designated Sport Organizations to ensure they have mechanisms in place to make and promote safe and inclusive sport environments. viaSport provides tools that enable everyone to foster positive experiences in sport and recreation.
