Evaluation of Publicly Accessible Child Protection in Sport Education and Reporting Initiatives

Ellen MacPherson, Anthony Battaglia, Gretchen Kerr, Sophie Wensel, Sarah McGee, Aalaya Milne, Francesca Principe and Erin Willson
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Ellen MacPherson: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Anthony Battaglia: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Gretchen Kerr: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Sophie Wensel: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Sarah McGee: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Aalaya Milne: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Francesca Principe: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Erin Willson: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Despite sport being a vehicle through which youth may achieve positive developmental outcomes, maltreatment in the youth sport context remains a significant concern. With increased athlete advocacy and research demonstrating the high prevalence of maltreatment in sport, and the urgent need to address it, many international organisations have created child protection in sport initiatives. Of particular focus to athletes and researchers is the provision of evidence-based comprehensive education and independent reporting mechanisms for athletes who experience harm. The current study examined the extent to which the publicly accessible information provided by three sport-specific child protection organisations regarding education and reporting is aligned with recommendations provided by researchers and athletes. With regard to education, the findings highlight accessibility, programming for various stakeholders, and coverage of topics of interest (e.g., forms of harm and reporting processes). However, educational information about equity, diversity, and inclusion and information on how to foster positive environments in sport was lacking. For reporting mechanisms, results showed that each organisation’s approach to receiving reports of maltreatment varied, including their ability to directly intake, investigate, and sanction instances of maltreatment. The findings are interpreted and critiqued considering previous literature and recommendations for future research and practice are suggested.

Keywords: child protection; safe sport; education; reporting mechanisms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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