Coaches play a vital role in shaping the youth of tomorrow through sport. The OVA relies on them and other persons in authority to be role models and to put young athletes on a path to success. The dynamic between coach and athlete gives rise to a power imbalance and a culture of unquestioned trust that can result in abuse. As such, it is imperative that all persons in positions of authority be held to a high standard of conduct. Abuse in sport, particularly sexual abuse and the grooming behaviour that precedes it, destroys the positive impact of sport and causes untold harm to victims and those around them. Consequently the OVA has a strong obligation to establish and maintain systems that prevent abuse and respond to conduct that poses risk to OVA athletes.
The OVA values the safety, rights and wellbeing of our athletes and their families. It is the responsibility of every OVA club, coach, volunteer and staff member to participate in the effort to create a safe environment for all OVA participants.
The Person in Authority Code of Conduct is intended to protect OVA participants from abuse. It provides guidelines for conduct that are consistent with the development of healthy relationships between adult persons in authority and youth sport participants. The Code provides behaviour guideposts that identify inappropriate or concerning behaviour at an early stage to help better protect athletes and coaches.
Person In Authority Code of Conduct webinar.
The webinars were hosted by Elevation - Equality, Inclusivity, Empowerment Inc. and Karen Bellehumeur of Bellehumeur Law, a firm committed to providing legal advice and services exclusively to survivors of sexual abuse as well as legal education and advocacy. The webinar provides information about the importance of the OVA's Person In Authority Code of Conduct and field questions from the membership.