Best Practice Case Studies-Case 150 Asset 1 IOC: Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport

Pdf Summary

The IOC 2024 consensus statement on interpersonal violence (IV) and safeguarding in sport updates earlier safe sport guidance by expanding the focus beyond sexual abuse to include physical, psychological, sexual violence, and neglect/deprivation. The panel used a scoping review, grey literature, and athlete input, then reached consensus through a Delphi process, resulting in 43 recommendations and guidelines.<br /><br />A major contribution is a new socioecological model showing that violence in sport is shaped by interacting factors at individual, interpersonal, organizational, sectoral, societal, and temporal levels. The statement emphasizes that IV is not just the result of isolated bad actors; it is enabled by power imbalances, toxic cultures, performance-at-all-costs ideologies, discrimination, weak reporting systems, and broader social norms.<br /><br />The review found IV is common across competitive levels, with psychological violence the most prevalent, followed by sexual violence, physical violence, and neglect. Higher exposure was often seen among girls/women, LGBTQ athletes, disabled athletes, elite athletes, and those training many hours. However, the evidence base is limited by inconsistent terminology, weak measurement tools, and underreporting.<br /><br />Key recommendations include:<br />- Safe sport is everyone’s responsibility.<br />- Sport should be athlete-centred and based on mutual care and respect.<br />- Safeguarding should be integrated with sport’s values, not treated as separate.<br />- Trauma- and violence-informed care should be adopted.<br />- Implementation science should guide real-world uptake.<br />- Safeguarding initiatives must be evaluated for effectiveness.<br /><br />The statement calls for stronger policies, better surveillance, more inclusive research, athlete voice, cross-sector collaboration, and support for clinicians to respond appropriately. Overall, it argues that safe sport requires whole-system change across the entire sports ecosystem.

Meta Tag

Edition 4th Edition

Related Case 4th Edition, Case 150

Topic Physical Bullying

Keywords

IOC 2024 consensus

interpersonal violence

safeguarding in sport

safe sport

socioecological model

psychological violence

sexual violence

physical violence

neglect

athlete-centered care

4th Edition

4th Edition, Case 150

Physical Bullying