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, Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) 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 (OSIC) 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 visiting abuse-free-sport.ca.

Abuse-Free Sport Helpline

Phone: 1-888-837-7678
Email: info@abuse-free-sport.ca
Website: abuse-free-sport.ca/helpline 

If you have a concern about a child and and want to speak to someone, contact the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. If you suspect abuse, report it to your local child welfare agency and/or police.

How to report abuse

As of January 20, 2023, the CAC is a program signatory of OSIC. OSIC is responsible for administering the UCCMS and for overseeing complaints for matters under the UCCMS involving UCCMS participants.  

UCCMS participants under CAC jurisdiction include CAC employees, members of the CAC Board of Directors, volunteers, contractors, and CAC-hosted event participants.

To report an incident or file a complaint relating to maltreatment as defined by the UCCMS, visit osic-bcis.i-sight.com/portal.

For complaints relating to violations of CAC policies, please contact the Independent Third Party of the CAC, Jeffrey Raphael by email at jraphael@raphaelbar.com.

Additional Support Services available

Download this list as a PDF

Abuse-Free Sport Helpline

1-888-837-7678
abuse-free-sport.ca/helpline

The Abuse-Free Sport Helpline is available to ALL Canadians with questions or concerns about safe sport. Individuals do not need to be a participant under Signatory organizations in order to access the Helpline and its services

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

1-800-532-9135
protectchildren.ca

If you have concerns about a child, or if you are a victim (survivor) or a family member of a victim, you may contact the Canadian Centre for Child Protection for information or support.

Kids Help Phone

1-800-688-6868
kidshelpphone.ca

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national service offering professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led text-based support for young people. Kids Help Phone’s free, anonymous services are available in both English and French.

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness

1-855-242-3310
hopeforwellness.ca

A helpline dedicated to supporting First Nations and Inuit Peoples. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.

Trans Lifeline

1-877-330-6366
translifeline.org

A helpline dedicated to the well-being of transgender people. The phone line is staffed by transgender people for transgender people.

Victim Services Canada

1-877-232-2610
crcvc.ca/how-we-help/victim-support

The Canadian government provides a number of services to victims of crime, including emotional support, counselling, advocacy and safety planning.

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP)

613-702-4446
suicideprevention.ca

CASP’s goal is to reduce the suicide rate in Canada and to minimize the consequences of suicidal behaviour.