The OVA is committed to practicing safe sport and ensuring our athletes are provided with a safe and healthy environment in which to learn and develop. 

Safe sport practices are the responsibility of all members, including coaches, parents/guardians, athletes, referees, club administrators and volunteers.

Volleyball Canada (VC) and Ontario Volleyball (OVA) are  committed to a sport environment free from abuse that is safe for all participants. 

Volleyball Canada and Ontario Volleyball have zero tolerance for any type of abuse. Individuals are required to report abuse or suspected abuse to Volleyball Canada or to the OVA so that those matters can be addressed in an expeditious manner. 

• For more information, download VC’s Safe Sport Complaint Process Overview (linked below).
• If you have a safe sport issue to report, please contact the VC independent third party (see below).  

Volleyball Canada has a third-party to review safe sport  complaints, named Abuse-Free Sport  This process is open to all Provincial Volleyball  Association members across Canada.  

Abuse-Free Sport is an independent program that is part of a growing national movement to rid Canadian sport of all forms of harassment, discrimination, and abuse. As a Program Signatory, Volleyball Canada is an active player in this movement.

Unlike the previous approach, where each national sport organization created its own system for dealing with complaints of maltreatment, this is a centralized “one-stop shop.” It is independent and led by experts in their fields, using education and research to prevent maltreatment at all levels of sport.

The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (the Office) serves as the central hub. It operates independently to administer complaints about alleged violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).

Where there are admissible allegations of abuse, harassment or discrimination, the Office conducts independent investigations and recommends sanctions against individuals who violate the UCCMS.

The Office will also maintain a national sanctions registry, which prevents individuals from evading sanctions by moving to different sports or to different jurisdictions.

For designated participants within our organization, there is access to a wide range of resources, including victim services and referrals to specialized mental health professionals and experienced lawyers – all of it available in English and French. You can access the website by clicking on the Abuse-Free Sport logo on our website or by visiting https://abuse-free-sport.ca/.

HOW TO REPORT ABUSE

Volleyball Canada is committed to a sport environment free from abuse that is safe for all participants.

Volleyball Canada has zero tolerance for any type of abuse. Individuals are required to report abuse or suspected abuse. If you are the victim of abuse, harassment, or discrimination, or you’ve witnessed such an incident within our sport, you are encouraged to contact the Canadian Sport Helpline by phone or text at 1-888-83SPORT (77678), or by email to info@abuse-free-sport.ca, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When the incidents recounted appear admissible, operators can assist you in filing a report through a confidential online platform, if desired.

Ontario Volleyball has adopted several policies aimed at addressing the maltreatment of individuals in sport. These policies include: 

• Person in Authority (PIA) Code of Conduct
• Discipline and Complaints
• Code of Conduct 
• Screening Policy

A full list of Ontario Volleyball policies can be found here. 

For more information on Ontario Volleyball policies, please  contact info@ontariovolleyball.org  

 Open, observable, and justifiable interactions and communications are strongly recommended to foster safety, enhance protection, and help reduce vulnerability of both the athlete and adult(s) in a position of trust. 

Commonly referred to as the Rule of Two, it means that there will always be two screened and safety-trained adults with a participant, especially a minor athlete, when in a potentially vulnerable situation. 

Vulnerable situations include but are not limited to: 

• Closed doors meetings
• Medical treatments 
• Travel to and from trainings, competitions, events, or activities 
• Electronic communications
• Any training or competitive environments without a second coach or responsible adult present (in the gym, in the weight room, etc.)

"Open and Observable Environments" is VC’s version of rule of two. As in rule of two, this practice still involves making meaningful and concerted efforts to avoid situations where a person in authority (coach, official, staff member, IST member etc.) might be alone with an athlete and/or vulnerable individual. 

The name refers to the fact that interactions between an individual and an individual who is in a position of trust/authority should be in an environment or space that is both “open” and “observable” to others. 

For a full description with examples and frequently asked questions, please download the Open and Observable Spaces Guidelines. 

• NEW: Rule of 2 info-graphic (pdf file) 

Volleyball Canada is requiring that all individuals involved with the sport across the country take the new safe sport training module, available via the Coaching Association of Canada website. 

As of April 1, 2020, anyone associated with a Sport Canada-funded organization must be trained on conduct to prevent and address maltreatment. This includes coaches, referees, parents of youth athletes, high performance staff and contractors, officials; and all administrative staff and volunteers whether they may have direct contact with athletes or not.  

The safe sport module is a free, 90-minute eLearning module that gives all participants the tools to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport. The module aligns with the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport and meets Sport Canada requirements for Safe Sport education. 

Visit the safe sport training site for more info: 
https://safesport.coach.ca/  

To take the training, you must create an account in “The Locker”, even if you are not a coach (it’s free!) We suggest saving a screenshot of the final slide when completed for your records. 

Other online resources (mainly for coaches) that can be completed from home include the following (please note fees may be required). 

https://sportforlife-sportpourlavie.ca/catalog.php 
https://www.respectgroupinc.com/keeping-girls-in-sport/  
https://coach.ca/nccp-multi-sport-training-modules  

For more info on coaching resources, contact: 
coaching@volleyball.ca

 The Ontario Volleyball Association continues to utilize the Respect in Sport Parent Program for all Club Member parent/guardians. 

This roll out is a testament to the dedication the OVA and its members have in making this amazing sport fun and enjoyable for all. 

Respect in Sport is an accessible, online resource in the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination (BAHD). The program’s mission is to empower participants to recognize signs of BAHD and eliminate it from the game, through a global culture of respect. 

At least one parent or guardian of each player registered in OVA volleyball will need to complete the online RIS Parent Program (only once) as a condition of athlete participation.  The program is a proactive, educational program that empowers parents with the tools to ensure the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children, and all other stakeholders in the game. To register, visit   https://ontvolleyballparent.respectgroupinc.com/start.jsp 

For more information on the program, please visit: https://www.ontariovolleyball.org/respect-in-sport  

HOW TO BECOME OVA SAFE SPORT COMPLAINT: 

1. Obtain an OVA membership. 
2. Successfully complete the following background screens: 
   a. Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (required by all individuals in leadership roles who work directly with athletes). Must be completed once every three years. 
   b. OVA Screening Disclosure Form. This form is required on an annual basis. 
3. Successfully complete the free Safe Sport training module through the Coaching Association of Canada website (this is required by all individuals, not just coaches). 
4. Successfully complete the Respect in Sport Parent Program (required by at least one parent/guardian of each registered OVA player). 

ADDITIONAL LINKS