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.

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 or by visiting https://abuse-free-sport.ca/.

The Abuse-Free Sport Registry is a searchable database of Participants subject to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport ("UCCMS") whose eligibility to participate in sport has in some way been restricted due to provisional measures and/or sanctions imposed, for purposes of carrying out the objectives of the UCCMS, the Physical Activity and Sport Act, Abuse-Free Sport and the mandate received by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada from the Government of Canada for preventing and addressing maltreatment in sport, in accordance with applicable laws.

Provisional measures and sanctions are applied as part of or as a result of the Abuse Free Sport Complaint Management Process.

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 Abuse-Free 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.

To see the complaints process, click here.

1-888-837-7678 – info@abuse-free-sport.ca – https://abuse-free-sport.ca/ 

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

• Abuse
• Code of Conduct
• Discipline and Complaints
• Screening Policy

A full list of Volleyball Canada’s policies can be found here.

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
• Any training or competitive environments without a second coach or responsible adult present (in the gym, in the weight room, etc.)
• Electronic communications

"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 

Concussions are very common in volleyball and should be taken seriously. Volleyball Canada has developed the Volleyball Canada Concussion Protocol to help guide the management of athletes who may have a suspected concussion as a result of participation in Volleyball Canada Activities. You can find the concussion protocol here:

To go along with the Concussion Protocol, Volleyball Canada’s Pre-Season Concussion Education can help determine the causes and symptoms of a concussion.

Volleyball Canada has also developed a ‘National Championships Concussion Pathway’ to navigate the proper protocol if an athlete is suspected of a concussion during National Championships.

All coaches are required to take the free E-learning module ‘Making Head Way’ from the CAC. The CAC have many other helpful concussion resources found here.

Parachute is Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention and they have a great concussion protocol resource. https://parachute.ca/en/professional-resource/concussion-collection/canadian-guideline-on-concussion-in-sport/ 

Most injuries in Volleyball are a result from overuse and over training. It is important to develop consistent habits in the areas of pre-habilitation and strength training to your daily and weekly routines. Increasing the frequency of your strength training during your down times will help with both, reducing the risk of injury and performance benefits such as jumping and landing ability, change of direction, and stamina to withstand the rigours of practice and competition. Some injuries are not preventable such as concussions and ankle rolls.  It is very important to consult with a heath care practitioner before you return to play. Below are some resources that can help.

1. Using an age appropriate warm up before practice. 
2. Incorporating strength and conditioning into your training schedule on a regular basis, overseen by a certified professional. 
3. Planning out and fluctuating jump loads on court on a weekly to monthly basis. 
4. Properly cool down after practice.
5. Smaller muscle group exercises to aid in the development of structural tolerance required for volleyball. See Volleyball Canada’s Daily Mobility and Movement Screen 
6. Visit a Doctor or Physiotherapist if you are in pain.

Volleyball Canada believes the mental health and safety of athletes is vital to strong performances on the court. We are encouraging everyone to make mental health a priority by providing a mental health checklist, as well as sharing useful links. For you to perform your best on court you must take care of yourself off court.

The Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CMHS) is a registered charity supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes, coaches, and performing artists. The CCMHS is the first Centre in Canada to offer collaborative sport/performance-focused mental health care services designed to help athletes, coaches, and performing artists achieve their performance goals while preserving their mental health and well-being. The CCMHS provides mental health services to competitive and high-performance athletes and coaches, as well as competitive performing artists.  Here are the eligibility criteria:

•  Must be 16 years of age or older
•  Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
•  Must participate in a sport or performance domain at a competitive or high-performance    level
•  Must be experiencing mental health challenges

Click here to learn more.

Disclaimer: The Canadian Centre for Mental Health is not a partner of Volleyball Canada, they are a resource for mental health, we do not control who is approved for treatment.

Kids Help Line
If you are feeling depressed or anxious, please tell someone you trust or contact the Kids Help Line 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868.

If you are starting to feel anxious and are worried about your mental health, here is a checklist that may help you feel better.

1.     Fueling your body with nutritious food
2.     Journaling
3.     Nature Breaks (walks in the park)
4.     Listening to uplifting music
5.     Taking a Digital Detox
6.     Move your body (any type of activity is great)
7.     Deep breathing and grounding techniques
8.     Stretching
9.     Taking bubble baths (also great for injury prevention)
10.  Focus on what you can control
11.  Spending time with people who build you up
12.  Spending time alone if needed
13.  Talking to someone when you need it.
14.  Getting lots of sleep

Information on Volleyball Canada Club Approval can be found HERE