The New IOC Consensus Statement on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport:

What Athlete Health Professionals Need to Know

Date: February 2025

*This blog is also published here.

Understanding Interpersonal Violence in Sport

 

Misconduct in sports includes a wide range of behaviors such as physical, psychological, and sexual violence, as well as neglect. This issue affects athletes of all ages and levels, from amateurs to elite athletes, as well as other actors in and around the sports environment, including coaches, administrators, and (para-)medical professionals. The new IOC Consensus Statement on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport provides a comprehensive scientific foundation and guidelines for sports organizations and professionals to create safer sports environments. In this blog, I highlight the key insights from this statement and discuss specific recommendations for healthcare professionals.

The Scope and Impact of Interpersonal Violence in Sports

 

Research indicates that misconduct in sports is widespread and has various negative consequences, including psychological, physical, and social harm. Psychological violence is the most frequently reported form, with prevalence estimates ranging from 21% to 79% of athletes experiencing it at least once in a sports context. Sexual violence is also common, particularly among girls, women, and LGBTQIA+ athletes. Physical violence and neglect are less extensively documented but remain concerning issues.

The causes of misconduct are complex and multifaceted. According to the socio-ecological model presented in the consensus statement, various levels of influence play a role, ranging from individual characteristics such as age and gender to contextual factors like team culture and organizational structures.

Figure: Socio-Ecological Model of Factors Influencing Misconduct in Sport

(Based on the IOC Consensus Statement on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport, Tuakli et al., 2024.)

 

This model examines the interaction between different levels that contribute to or prevent misconduct in sport:

 

  • Individual Level: Personal characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, or psychological factors.
    • Example: A young female athlete in a male-dominated team sport may be more vulnerable to sexual harassment due to stereotypes or power imbalances.
  • Interpersonal Level: Relationships between athletes, coaches, and team members.
    • Example: An authoritarian coaching style may lead to psychological violence.
  • Organizational Level: The structure and culture of sports organizations.
    • Example: A club lacking clear reporting procedures may create an environment where misconduct goes unaddressed.
  • Sectoral Level: Broader trends in the sports industry, such as early specialization or a “win at all costs” mentality.
  • Societal Level: Cultural and social influences such as sexism, gender inequality, homophobia, and racism.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

 

Due to this complexity, both prevention and intervention require a comprehensive approach.

Safeguarding in Sport: Protecting Athletes from Harm

 

Safeguarding in sport involves proactively ensuring a safe environment, allowing everyone to participate in sports without fear of misconduct or harm. The goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where athletes can thrive.

 

Safeguarding consists of three key components:

  1. Preventive Measures – Promoting a healthy sports environment, screening staff, and implementing codes of conduct.
  2. Reactive Measures – Reporting and sanctioning incidents.
  3. Promoting Well-being – Empowering athletes and ensuring their voices are heard.

The Need for a Structured Safeguarding Approach

 

Without a structured safeguarding approach, incidents of misconduct remain invisible, unreported, or unresolved, allowing perpetrators to act without consequences while victims suffer further harm. Additionally, an unsafe sports environment erodes trust in sports organizations, leading to talent loss, reputational damage, and decreased participation in sports.

A Shared Responsibility

 

Safety in sports can only be achieved if all stakeholders take responsibility. Safeguarding is not solely the task of coaches or administrators—it requires a collective effort:

  • Athletes: Encouraged to set boundaries, report misconduct, and support each other.
  • Coaches and Supervisors: Responsible for fostering healthy relationships, avoiding abuse of power, and promoting a safe culture.
  • Organizations: Sports federations and clubs must develop policies and procedures that ensure safety, such as codes of conduct and staff training.
  • Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, psychologists, and physiotherapists contribute by recognizing signs of misconduct, responding appropriately, and offering support.
  • Society: Parents, fans, and policymakers must acknowledge the importance of safeguarding and actively promote a culture of respect and care in and beyond sports.

Recommendations for Healthcare Professionals in Sport

 

The medical and paramedical team plays a crucial role in identifying, reporting, and preventing misconduct. The following guidelines are particularly relevant:

1) Relationship-Based Approach

 

Encourage healthy relationships between athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff. This not only fosters a safe environment but also strengthens mutual respect and trust. Healthcare professionals can set an example by promoting open communication and addressing misconduct.

2) Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC)

 

Implement TVIC principles, which recognize the impact of trauma and create a safe and supportive environment.

 

  • Example: Healthcare professionals can proactively ask about mental health, and sports psychologists can offer coping strategies that consider past trauma.

3) Reporting

Familiarize yourself with reporting procedures for misconduct within your sports organization.

  • Example: Sports doctors should be aware of physical violence indicators such as unexplained injuries, while physiotherapists should look for signs of neglect, such as poor physical condition or lack of medical follow-up.

4) Training and Awareness

Regular training and education on misconduct and safeguarding are essential for all medical staff. This helps them better recognize signs of violence and take appropriate action. The consensus statement emphasizes that training should be tailored to different stakeholders’ needs.

5) Measuring Effectiveness

Develop a strategy for evaluating the impact of interventions.

  • Example: Sports psychologists can use questionnaires to measure the effectiveness of prevention programs, while sports doctors can monitor injury trends related to harmful training practices.

Practical Tips for Healthcare Professionals

  • Work in a multidisciplinary team: Collaboration between doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other team members is crucial for an effective policy.

 

  • Engage athletes: Create an environment where athletes feel safe to voice concerns, either anonymously through surveys or confidentially with a psychologist or integrity officer.

 

 

  • Focus on prevention: Besides responding to incidents, sports administrators, coaches, and healthcare professionals must develop proactive strategies, such as workshops on respectful communication and team dynamics.

The IOC Consensus Statement underscores that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Medical and paramedical professionals have the knowledge and position to play a key role in preventing and addressing misconduct. By combining scientific insights with practical interventions, we can contribute to a safer and more inclusive sports environment for everyone.

 

Want to learn more?

 

You can find the full IOC Consensus Statement here.