UNIVERSAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS MALTREATMENT IN SPORT (UCCMS)
Section 1.0
General Principles and Commitment
1.1
Canadian Sport promises to contribute to the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health of individuals of varying abilities, backgrounds and interests, and contributes to societal engagement and pride. The Physical Activity and Sport Act states that: “The Government of Canada’s policy regarding sport is founded on the highest ethical standards and values, including [...] the treatment of all persons with fairness and respect, the full and fair participation of all persons in sport and the fair, equitable, transparent and timely resolution of disputes in sport.”
Only when sport environments are safe and inclusive can these values be realized. Individuals should have the reasonable expectation when they participate in sport in Canada that it will bein an environment that is accessible, inclusive, respects their personal goals and is free from all forms of Maltreatment. Maltreatment in all its forms is a serious issue that undermines the health, well-being, performance and security of individuals, communities, and society.
Maltreatment is unacceptable and fundamentally incompatible with the core values that lie at the heart of Canadian sport as indicated in the Canadian Sport Policy, including being values-based, inclusive, technically sound, collaborative, intentional and effective.
1.2
The following principles will guide the determination of Maltreatment and imposition of sanctions:
-The Maltreatment in question violates the integrity of the participant in question and undermines the values of Canadian sport.
-The sanctions imposed reflect the seriousness of the Maltreatment and the harm to those affected and the values of Canadian sport.
-Harmonized (applied to all Participants across Canada)
-Fair (procedural and substantive due process for all Participants)
-Comprehensive (all forms of Maltreatment and potential sanctions described)
-Expert-informed (the determination of Maltreatment and impositions of sanctions will beinformed by those with expertise in such areas as sport, child abuse, and the law)
-Trauma-informed (acknowledgement of the physical, psychological and emotional effects of trauma, and avoidance of re-traumatization)
-Evidence-driven (evidence of Maltreatment required)
-Independent administration (free from all conflicts of interest)
[Comment to Section 1.2: Evidence or “proof” of maltreatment may include the words/report of a complainant if found credible by the relevant authorities. Depending upon the nature of the Maltreatment, physical evidence, corroboration or third-party verification may not be needed.]
1.3
Following the Safe Sport Working Group’s consensus statements and the Pan-Canadian consultation held from March to May 2019, all parties and organizations committed to the goal of Safe Sport have agreed that Maltreatment has no place in Canadian sport and, when present, must be sanctioned appropriately. The commitments expressed below reflect this common understanding amongst Canadian sport stakeholders:
-All Participants in sport can expect to play, practice and compete, work, and interact in an environment free from Maltreatment.
-Addressing the causes and consequences of Maltreatment is a collective responsibility and requires the deliberate efforts of all Participants, sport stakeholders, sport club administrators and organization leaders.
-Participants in positions of trust and authority have the general responsibility to protect the health and well-being of all other Participants.
-Adult Participants have a specific ethical and statutory duty and the additional responsibility to respond to incidents of Maltreatment involving Minors and other vulnerable individuals.
-All Participants recognize that Maltreatment can occur regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, Indigenous status, or level of physical and intellectual disability and their intersections. Moreover, it is recognized that those from traditionally marginalized groups have increased vulnerability to experiences of Maltreatment.
-All Participants recognize that individuals who have experienced Maltreatment may experience a range of effects that may emerge at different time points and that can profoundly affect their lives.
-All adults working with children and youth have a duty to prevent or mitigate opportunities for misconduct.
-In recognition of the historic vulnerability to discrimination and violence amongst some groups, and that continues to persist today, participants in positions of trust and authority have a duty to incorporate strategies to recognize systemic bias, unconscious bias, and torespond quickly and effectively to discriminatory practices.
Definitions
Athlete: An individual who is a member, registrant or license holder of a sport organization subject to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). [Note: The UCCMS (when fully drafted and implemented) will set out in detail how jurisdiction over various groups of individuals, including Athletes, will be acquired.]
Complaint: A Participant or observer who makes a report of an incident of Maltreatment or suspicions of an incident of Maltreatment.
Consent by a Person over the Age of Majority: Consent is defined in Canada’s Criminal Code as the voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question. The law focuses on what the person was actually thinking and feeling at the time of the sexual activity. Sexual touching is only lawful if the person affirmatively communicated their consent, whether through words or conduct. Silence or passivity does not equal consent. Sexual activity is only legal when both parties consent. The Criminal Code also says there is no consent when: Someone says or does something that shows they are not consenting to an activity; Someone says or does something to show they are not agreeing to continue an activity that has already started; Someone is incapable of consenting to the activity, because, for example, they are unconscious; The consentis a result of a someone abusing a position of trust, power or authority or someone consents on someone else’s behalf. A person cannot say they mistakenly believed a person was consenting if: that belief is based on their own intoxication; they were reckless about whether the person was consenting; they chose to ignore things that would tell them there was a lack of consent; orthey didn’t take proper steps to check if there was consent.2 For further information, please seethe comment below.
Sexual activity with a minor is a criminal offence as is sexual activity with a person under the age of 18 years when the other person is in a position of trust or authority.
[Comment to Consent: The responsibility for ensuring there is consent is on the person who is initiating or pursuing the sexual activity. When someone has said no to sexual contact, the other person cannot rely on the fact that time has passed or the fact that the individual has not said no again to assume that consent now exists. No one can legally consent in advance to sexual activity in the future when they will be unconscious. No one can legally consent to activity where they will suffer bodily harm, such as activity that will cause serious bruises, stitches or broken bones. It is a criminal offence to engage in sexual activity with a child, as a child is unable to consent.]
Disclosure: The sharing of information by a Participant regarding an incident or a pattern of Maltreatment experienced by that Participant. Disclosure does not constitute a formal report that initiates a process of investigation to address the Maltreatment.
Duty to Report under Child Protection Legislation: A legal duty to report is mandated by law, and the requirement varies by province depending on provincial legislation. Everyone has a duty toreport child abuse and neglect under Canadian child welfare laws. Professionals who work with children and youth have an added responsibility to report. Adults are obliged to report child Maltreatment if there is knowledge or suspicion that it is occurring. This is called the “duty to report.” Every person in Canada has the duty to report known or suspected child Maltreatment by law. Known or suspected abuse or Neglect of a child must be reported to: local child welfare services (e.g., children’s aid society or child and family services agency), or provincial/territorial social service ministries or departments, or local police.
Duty to Report Concerns Outside of Child Protection Legislation: Participants have a duty to report concerns of inappropriate conduct of other Participants to uphold the ethical standards and values of Canadian sport. Reporting inappropriate conduct is important to ensure proper action is taken and expectations are re-established. By addressing inappropriate conduct, a collective responsibility to protect Participants from Maltreatment is enacted.
Grooming: Deliberate conduct by a Participant to sexualize a relationship with a Minor that involves the gradual blurring of boundaries and normalization of inappropriate and sexually abusive behaviour. During the grooming process, the Participant will gain the trust of the Minor and protective adults and peers around the Minor often under the guise of an existing relationship. Manipulation tactics are then used to blur perceptions and gain further access to and private time with the Minor in order to abuse or exploit the Minor. Grooming can occur whether or not harm is intended or results from the behaviour. 3
Minor: An individual who is under the age of majority at the time and in the jurisdiction where the alleged Maltreatment occurred. It is the responsibility of the adult to know the age of a minor. 4
Comment to Minor: The following table illustrates the definition of a child for the purposes of protection in each province and territory at the time of writing this UCCMS. Please check your local jurisdiction for potential changes.
Province or Territory
Definition of child for purposes of protection
Newfoundland and Labrador
under 16 years old
Prince Edward Island
under 16 years old
Nova Scotia
under 16 years old
New Brunswick
under 16 years old
Quebec
under 16 years old
Ontario
under 16 years old
Manitoba
under 16 years old
Saskatchewan
under 16 years old
Alberta
under 16 years old
British Columbia
under 16 years old
Yukon
under 16 years old
Northwest Territories
under 16 years old
Nunavut
under 16 years old
Note: Children with disabilities are eligible for protective services until age 19.
Maltreatment: Volitional acts that result in harm or the potential for physical or psychological harm. 5 Any of the various prohibited behaviours and conduct described in Section 2.0.
Neglect: Any pattern or a single serious incident of lack of reasonable care, inattention to a Participant’s needs, nurturing or well-being, or omissions in care. Neglect is determined by the objective behaviour but the behaviour must be evaluated with consideration given to the Participant’s needs and requirements, not whether harm is intended or results from the behaviour. 6
Participant: Every individual who is subject to the UCCMS. [Note: Participants may become subject to the UCCMS by various means. Athletes through membership in an adopting sport organization and coaches, volunteers, doctors, trainers, administrators, directors, etc. by signing an express contract accepting the jurisdiction of the UCCMS.]
Physical Maltreatment: Any pattern or a single serious incident of deliberate conduct that has the potential to be harmful to the physical well-being of the Participant. Physical Maltreatment includes, without limitation, contact or non-contact infliction of physical harm. Physical Maltreatment is determined by the objective behaviour, not whether harm is intended or results from the behaviour. 7
Power Imbalance: A Power Imbalance may exist where, based on the totality of the circumstances, a Participant has supervisory, evaluative, a duty of care, or other authority over another Participant. A Power Imbalance may also exist between an Athlete and other adults involved in sport in positions such as high-performance directors, sport specific health-care providers, sport science support staff, care or support persons, guides or pilots. Maltreatment occurs when this power is misused.
Once a coach-Athlete relationship is established, a Power Imbalance is presumed to exist throughout the coach-Athlete relationship, regardless of age, and is presumed to continue for Minor Athletes after the coach-Athlete relationship terminates or until the Athlete reaches 25 years of age.
A Power Imbalance may exist, but is not presumed, where an intimate relationship existed before the sport relationship commenced (e.g., a relationship between two spouses or life partners, or a sexual relationship between consenting adults that preceded the sport relationship).
[Comment to Power Imbalance: A Power Imbalance may arise whether the Participants are in 1) an authority-based relationship in which one person has power over another by virtue of an ascribed position of authority, such as between high performance director and coach; employer and employee; technical official and Athlete; 2) a dependency relationship in which the person in a position of lesser power is dependent upon the other person for a sense of security, safety, trust, and fulfillment of needs, conducive to intimate physical or psychological connections, such as between parent and child; teacher and student; coach and Athlete; high performance director and Athlete, sport science and medical support staff and Athlete; billet or host family and Athlete; and 3) a peer-to-peer relationship, including but not limited to teammate-teammate, athlete-athlete, coach-coach or official-official relationships. Power may be represented by seniority, ability, physical size, public profile, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethno-racial identity, level of physical and intellectual disability, and their intersections, as some examples. Maltreatment occurs when this power is misused. Moreover, it is recognized that those from traditionally marginalized groups have experienced positions of lesser power.]
Psychological Maltreatment: Any pattern or a single serious incident of deliberate conduct that has the potential to be harmful to the psychological well-being of the Participant. Psychological Maltreatment includes, without limitation, verbal conduct, non-assaultive physical conduct, and conduct that denies attention or support. Psychological Maltreatment is determined by the objective behaviour, not whether harm is intended or results from the behaviour. 8
Reporting (or Report): The provision of information in writing by any person or a Participant to a relevant independent authority (the independent person or position charged with receiving a report and determining next steps) regarding Maltreatment. Reporting may occur through either: (i) the Complainant (of any age) or the one who experienced the Maltreatment, or (ii) a witness – someone who witnessed the Maltreatment or otherwise knows or suspects Maltreatment. In either case, the intention of Reporting is to initiate an independent investigative process, which could result in disciplinary action being taken against the Respondent.
Respondent: A Participant who is alleged to have engaged in Maltreatment and thereby to have violated the UCCMS.
Sexual Maltreatment involving a Child: Any form of adult/child sexualized interaction constitutes child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of a child may occur through behaviours that do or do not involve actual physical contact. 9
Sexual Maltreatment involving a person over the Age of Majority: Any sexual act, whether physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened, or attempted against a Participant without the Participant’s Consent. It includes any act targeting a Participant’s sexuality, gender identity or expression, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a Participant without that Participant’s Consent, and includes but is not limited to, the Criminal Code Offences of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, indecent exposure, voyeurism and non-consensual distribution of sexual/intimate images. Sexual Maltreatment also includes sexual harassment and stalking, cyber harassment, and cyber stalking of a sexual nature. Sexual Maltreatment can take place through any form or means of communication (e.g. online, social media, verbal, written, visual, hazing, or through a third party).
Section 2.0
Maltreatment
2.1
Scope of Application
2.1.1
This section of the UCCMS sets forth expectations for Participants regarding the elimination of Maltreatment in sport.
2.1.2
The UCCMS applies to Participants active in sport or retired from sport where any claim of Maltreatment occurred when the Participant was active in sport.
2.1.3
The right to participate in sport may be limited, conditional, suspended, terminated or denied if a Participant is alleged to have engaged in Maltreatment. It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Maltreatment (however described).
2.1.4
Adults in positions of trust and authority shall be responsible for knowing what constitutes Maltreatment. The categories of Maltreatment are not mutually exclusive, nor are the examples provided in each category an exhaustive list. Rather, what matters for the assessment of the Maltreatment is whether the conduct falls into one or more of the categories, not into which category it falls. Abuse, assault, harassment, bullying, and hazing can be experienced in more than one category of Maltreatment.
Maltreatment can be any of the prohibited behaviours and conduct, provided the Maltreatment occurs in any one or a combination of the following situations (i) within a sport environment or (ii) when the Participant alleged to have committed Maltreatment was engaging in sport activities or (iii) when the Participants involved interacted due to their mutual involvement in sport or (iv) outside of the sport environment where the Maltreatment has a serious and detrimental impact on another Participant. The physical location(s) where the alleged Maltreatment occurred is not determinative.
2.1.5
Subjecting a Participant to the Risk of Maltreatment
It is a violation of the UCCMS for sport administrators or other sport decision-makers in positions of authority to place Participants in situations that make them vulnerable to Maltreatment. This includes, but is not limited to, instructing an Athlete and coach to share a hotel room when traveling, hiring a coach who has a past history of Athlete Maltreatment, assigning guides and other support staff to a para-Athlete when the guide or support staff has a reputation for Athlete Maltreatment or assigning such a guide or support staff to a para-Athlete in the absence of consultation with the para-Athlete.
2.1.6
Sport-Specific Considerations
The UCCMS acknowledges that sport-specific differences exist with respect to such aspects as acceptable levels of touch, physical contact, and aggression during training or competition. However, as the UCCMS does not address rules of the game, any relevant sport-specific differences will be considered during investigative processes.
2.2
Maltreatment
2.2.1
Psychological Maltreatment
2.2.1.1
It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Psychological Maltreatment.
2.2.1.2
Psychological Maltreatment includes, without limitation, verbal acts, non-assaultive physical acts and acts that deny attention or support.
2.2.1.2.1
Verbal Acts
Verbally assaulting or attacking someone, including but not limited to: unwarranted personal criticisms; body shaming; derogatory comments related to one’s identity (e.g. race, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, Indigenous status, ability/disability); comments that are demeaning, humiliating, belittling, intimidating, insulting or threatening; the use of rumours or false statements about someone to diminish that person’s reputation; using confidential sport and non-sport information inappropriately.
Verbal Maltreatment may also occur in online forms.
2.2.1.2.2
Non-assaultive Physical Acts (no physical contact)
Physically aggressive behaviors, including but not limited to: throwing objects at or in the presence of others without striking another; hitting, striking or punching objects in the presence of others.
2.2.1.2.3
Acts that Deny Attention or Support
Acts of commission that deny attention, lack of support or isolation including but not limited to: ignoring psychological needs or socially isolating a person repeatedly or for an extended period of time; abandonment of an Athlete as punishment for poor performance; arbitrarily or unreasonably denying feedback, training opportunities, support or attention for extended periods of time and/or asking others to do the same.
2.2.2
Physical Maltreatment
2.2.2.1
It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Physical Maltreatment.
2.2.2.2
Physical Maltreatment includes, without limitation, contact or non-contact behaviours that have the potential to cause physical harm.
2.2.2.2.1
Contact behaviours
Including but not limited to: deliberately punching, kicking, beating, biting, striking, strangling or slapping another; deliberately hitting another with objects.
2.2.2.2.2
Non-contact behaviours
Including but not limited to: isolating a person in a confined space; forcing a person to assume a painful stance or position for no athletic purpose (e.g., requiring an Athlete to kneel on a hard surface); the use of exercise for the purposes of punishment; withholding, recommending against, or denying adequate hydration, nutrition, medical attention or sleep; denying access to a toilet; providing alcohol to a Participant under the legal drinking age; providing illegal drugs or non-prescribed medications to a Participant; encouraging or knowingly permitting an Athlete to return to play prematurely following any injury or after a concussion and without the clearance of a medical professional; encouraging an Athlete to perform a skill for which they are known to not be developmentally ready.
2.2.3
Sexual Maltreatment
2.2.3.1
It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Sexual Maltreatment.
2.2.3.2
Sexual Maltreatment includes, without limitation, any act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or expression, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person, and includes but is not limited to the Criminal Code Offences of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, indecent exposure, voyeurism and non-consensual distribution of sexual/intimate images. Sexual Maltreatment also includes sexual harassment and stalking, cyber harassment, and cyber stalking of a sexual nature.
2.2.3.3
Examples of Sexual Maltreatment include, without limitation:
2.2.3.3.1
Any penetration of any part of a person’s body, however slight, with any object or body part by a person upon another person, including but not limited to:
a) vaginal penetration by a penis, object, tongue, or finger; and
b) anal penetration by a penis, object, tongue, or finger.
2.2.3.3.2
Any intentional touching of a sexual nature of any part of a person’s body, however slight, with any object or body part by a person upon another person, including but not limited to:
a) kissing;
b) intentional touching of the breasts, buttocks, groin or genitals, whether clothed or unclothed, or intentionally touching of another with any of these body parts;
c) any contact, no matter how slight, between the mouth of one person and the genitalia of another person, and
d) making another touch themselves, the Participant, or someone else with or on any of the body parts listed in b).
e) any intentional touching in a sexualized manner of the relationship, context or situation.
2.2.3.3.3
In addition to the criminal acts identified above, the UCCMS prohibits sexual relations between an Athlete above the age ofmajority (depending upon jurisdiction) and a Participant who holds a position of trust and authority on the basis that there can be no Consent where there is a Power Imbalance. A Power Imbalance that is presumed to exist may be challenged.
2.2.4
Neglect
2.2.4.1
It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Neglect.
2.2.4.2
Neglect, or acts of omission, includes without limitation: not providing an Athlete recovery time and/or treatment for a sport injury; not being aware of and not considering an individual’s physical or intellectual disability; not considering supervision of an Athlete during travel, training or competition; not considering the welfare of the Athlete when prescribing dieting or other weight control methods (e.g., weigh-ins, caliper tests); disregarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs by an Athlete; failure to ensure safety of equipment or environment; allowing an Athlete to disregard sport’s rules, regulations, and standards, subjecting Participants to the risk of Maltreatment.
2.2.5
Maltreatment Related to Grooming
2.2.5.1
It is a violation of the UCCMS for a Participant to engage in Grooming.
2.2.5.2
Grooming is often a slow, gradual and escalating process of building trust and comfort with a young person. Grooming includes, without limitation, the process of making inappropriate behaviour seem normal and gradually engaging in ‘boundary violations’ which have been professionally-identified to Canadian standards (e.g., a degrading remark, a sexual joke, sexualized physical contact; adult Participants sharing rooms with a Minor who is not an immediate family member; providing a massage or other purported therapeutic interventions with no specific training or expertise; private social media and text communications; sharing personal photographs; shared use of locker rooms; private meetings; private travel, and providing gifts).
2.2.5.3
Grooming usually begins with subtle behaviours that do not appear to be inappropriate. Many victims/survivors of sexual abuse do not recognize the grooming process as it is happening, nor do they recognize that this process of manipulation is part of the overall abuse process.
2.2.5.4
In the grooming process, the offender begins by gaining trust of adults around the young person. The offender establishes a friendship and gains the young person’s trust. Grooming then involves testing boundaries (e.g. telling sexual jokes, showing sexually explicit images, making sexual remarks). Typically, behaviour moves from non-sexual touching to “accidental” sexual touching.
2.2.5.5
The young person is often manipulated into feeling responsible for the contact, is discouraged from telling anyone else about the relationship, and is made to feel obligated to protect the offender. The offender also builds trust with those close to the young person so that the relationship with the young person is not questioned. 10
2.2.6
Maltreatment Related to Process
2.2.6.1
The behaviors identified below also constitute Maltreatment and may give rise to a sanction.
2.2.6.1.1
Interference with or Manipulation of Process
An adult Participant, violates the UCCMS by directly or indirectly interfering with a UCCMS process by:
a) falsifying, distorting, or misrepresenting information, the resolution process, or an outcome;
b) destroying or concealing information;
c) attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in or use of the UCCMS’s processes;
d) harassing or intimidating (verbally or physically) any person involved in the UCCMS’s processes before, during, and/or following any UCCMS proceedings;
e) publicly disclosing a Participant’s identifying information, without the Participant’s agreement;
f) failing to comply with any temporary or provisional measure or other final sanction;
g) distributing or otherwise publicizing materials a Participant gains access to during a UCCMS investigation or hearing, except as required by law or as expressly permitted; or
h) influencing or attempting to influence another person to interfere with or manipulate the process.
2.2.6.1.2
Retaliation
Retaliation is prohibited. A Participant shall not take an adverse action against any person for making a good faith Report of possible Maltreatment or for participating in any process under theUCCMS. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing, coercing or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging or participating in UCCMS’s processes.
Retaliation after the conclusion of investigation and sanction processes is also prohibited. Retaliation may be present even where there is a finding that no Maltreatment occurred.
Retaliation does not include good-faith actions lawfully pursued in response to a Report of possible Maltreatment.
2.2.6.1.3
Aiding and Abetting
Aiding and Abetting is any act taken with the purpose of facilitating, promoting, or encouraging the commission of Maltreatment by a Participant. Aiding and Abetting also includes, without limitation, knowingly:
a) allowing any person who has been suspended or is otherwise ineligible to be in any way associated with sport or to coach or instruct Participants;
b) providing any coaching-related advice or service to an Athlete who has been suspended or is otherwise ineligible; and
c) allowing any person to violate the terms of their suspension or any other sanctions imposed.
2.2.7
Maltreatment Related to Reporting
2.2.7.1
Failure to Report Maltreatment of a Minor
A legal duty to report is mandated by law, and the requirement varies by province depending on provincial legislation. An adult Participant who fails to Report actual or suspected Psychological Maltreatment, Sexual Maltreatment, Physical Maltreatment or Neglect involving a Minor Participant pursuant to the UCCMS’s processes and to law enforcement or child protection services (when applicable) shall be subject to disciplinary action under the UCCMS.
2.2.7.1.1
The obligation to Report requires the Reporting of any conduct which, if proven true, would constitute Psychological Maltreatment, Sexual Maltreatment, Physical Maltreatment or Neglect involving a Minor Participant. The obligation to Report is an ongoing one and is not satisfied simply by making an initial Report. The obligation includes Reporting, on a timely basis, all relevant information of which an adult Participant becomes aware.
2.2.7.1.2
The obligation to Report includes making a direct Report.
2.2.7.1.3
The obligation to Report includes personally identifying information of a potential Minor Complainant to the extent known at the time of the Report, as well as a duty to reasonably supplement the Report as to identifying information learned at a later time.
2.2.7.1.4
Participants should not investigate or attempt to evaluate the credibility or validity of allegations involving Psychological Maltreatment, Sexual Maltreatment, Physical Maltreatment or Neglect. Participants making a good faith Report are not required to prove the Reports are true before Reporting.
2.2.7.2
Failure to Report Inappropriate Conduct
Not all inappropriate conduct may meet the threshold for constituting Maltreatment under the UCCMS. However, such inappropriate conduct may represent behavior with the risk of escalating to Maltreatment under the UCCMS.
Any Participant who suspects or becomes aware of another Participant’s inappropriate conduct, even if it is not defined as Maltreatment under theUCCMS, has a duty to report such inappropriate conduct through the organization’s internal procedures. Those in positions of trust and authority who become aware of another’s inappropriate conduct have a responsibility for reporting the concern within their organization’s policies and procedures. The person making the report does not need to determine whether a violation of the UCCMS took place: instead, the responsibility lies in reporting the objective behaviour.
2.2.7.3
Intentionally Filing a False Allegation
In addition to constituting Maltreatment, filing a knowingly false allegation or influencing others to file a knowingly false allegation, that a Participant engaged in Maltreatment shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the UCCMS.
2.2.7.3.1
An allegation is false if the events Reported did not occur, and the person making the Report knows the events did not occur.
2.2.7.3.2
A false allegation is different from an unsubstantiated allegation; an unsubstantiated allegation means there is insufficient supporting evidence to determine whether an allegation is true or false. Absent demonstrable bad faith, an unsubstantiated allegation alone is not grounds for a UCCMS violation.
Section 3.0
Sanctions
In addition to any temporary or provisional measure that may be imposed, where there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that a Participant engaged in Maltreatment and thus violated the UCCMS, sanctions will be imposed. Different incidents constituting a violation of the same part of the UCCMS may arise out of markedly different circumstances, including various case-specific aggravating and/or mitigating factors.
[Note: Precisely how (and by whom) it will be determined that there is “sufficient evidence” will be finalized when the operational and implementation details for the UCCMS are designed)
Any sanction imposed against a Participant must be proportionate and reasonable, relative to the Maltreatment that has occurred, taking into account previous disciplinary actions. However, progressive discipline is not required as a single occurrence of Maltreatment can lead to a very significant sanction.
3.1
Sanctions
Subject to Section 3.3, if Maltreatment is proven one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed:
3.1.1
Verbal or Written Warning
A verbal reprimand or an official, written notice and formal admonition that a Participant has violated the UCCMS and that more severe sanctions will result should the Participant be involved in other violations.
3.1.2
Education
The requirement that a Participant undertake specified educational or similar remedial measures to address the Maltreatment.
3.1.3
Probation
Should any further violations of the UCCMS occur during the probationary period, will result in additional disciplinary measures, likely including a period of suspension or permanent ineligibility. This sanction can also include loss of privileges or other conditions, restrictions, or requirements for a specified period of time.
3.1.4
Suspension
Suspension, either for a set time or until further notice, from participation, in any capacity, in any program, practice, activity, event, or competition sponsored by, organized by, or under the auspices of any sport organization subject to the UCCMS. A suspended Participant is eligible to return to sport but reinstatement may be subject to certain restrictions or contingent upon the Participant satisfying specific conditions noted at the time of suspension.
3.1.5
Eligibility Restrictions
Restrictions or prohibitions from some types of participation but allowing participation in other capacities under strict conditions.
3.1.6
Permanent Ineligibility
Permanent ineligibility to participate, in any sport, in any capacity, in any program, activity, event, or competition sponsored by, organized by, or under the auspices of any sport organization subject to the UCCMS.
3.1.7
Other discretionary sanctions
Other sanctions for Maltreatment may be imposed, including, but not limited to, other loss of privileges, no contact directives, a fine or a monetary payment to compensate for direct losses, or other restrictions or conditions as deemed necessary or appropriate.
3.2
Considerations
3.2.1
Factors relevant to determining appropriate sanctions for a Respondent include, without limitation:
a) The nature and duration of the Respondent’s relationship with the Complainant, including whether there is a Power Imbalance;
b) The Respondent’s prior history and any pattern of inappropriate behaviour or Maltreatment;
c) The ages of the individuals involved;
d) Whether the Respondent poses an ongoing and/or potential threat to the safety of others;
e) The Respondent’s voluntary admission of the offense(s), acceptance of responsibility for the Maltreatment, and/or cooperation in the UCCMS’s process;
f) Real or perceived impact of the incident on the Complainant, sport organization or the sporting community;
g) Circumstances specific to the Respondent being sanctioned (e.g. lack of appropriate knowledge or training regarding the requirements in the UCCMS; addiction; disability; illness);
h) Whether, given the facts and circumstances that have been established, continued participation in the sport community is appropriate;
i) A Respondent who is in a position of trust, intimate contact or high-impact decision-making may face more serious sanctions; and/or
j) Other mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
Any single factor, if severe enough, may be sufficient to justify the sanction(s) imposed. A combination of several factors may justify elevated or combined sanctions.
3.3
Presumptive Sanctions
3.3.1
The following sanctions are presumed to be fair and appropriate for the listed Maltreatment, but the Respondent affected may rebut these presumptions:
a) Sexual Maltreatment involving a Minor Complainant shall carry a presumptive sanction of permanent ineligibility;
b) Sexual Maltreatment, Physical Maltreatment with contact and Maltreatment related to Process shall carry a presumptive sanction of either a period of suspension or eligibility restrictions;
c) While a Respondent has pending charges or dispositions in violation of the criminal law, the presumptive sanction shall be a period of suspension.
3.4
Public Disclosure
In addition to the publication of a summary of the final outcome of a UCCMS resolution process, a publicly-available searchable database or Registry of Respondents who have been sanctioned by or whose eligibility to participate in sport has in some way been restricted shall be maintained, pursuant to the provisions contained in the UCCMS. [Note: Whether all sanctions shall be summarized and publicly disclosed (e.g. including a verbal warning or an educational update) and precisely how a record shall be maintained of every sanction outcome imposed on each Respondent has yet to be designed. These details will be included in the UCCMS. The objective is that all sanctions must be tracked so that sport stakeholders will know (i) who has breached the UCCMS and (ii) which Respondents are ineligible tobe involved in sport.]
1 Physical Activity and Sport Act, S.C. 2003, c. 2, Section 4.1
2 Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, [s. 273.1(1)]
3 Commit to Kids. Helping Organizations Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
4 https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/canada/processing-provincial-definitions-minor.html
5 Crooks, C. V., & Wolfe, D. A. (2007). Child abuse and neglect. In E. J. Mash & R. A. Barkley (Eds.),Assessment of childhood disorders (pp. 639-684). New York, NY, US: Guilford Press.
6 (i) Stirling, A. (2009). Definition and constituents of maltreatment in sport: Establishing a a conceptualframework for research practitioners. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(14), 1091-9. And (ii) SafeSport Code for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. (2019). U.S. Center for Safe Sport.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Commit to Kids. Helping Organizations Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Canadian Centre for Child Protection. https://commit2kids.ca/en/
10 Commit to Kids. Helping Organizations Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. Canadian Centre for Child Protection
