Safe Sport International

Safe Sport International
Name	Safe Sport International
Formation	2010s
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Region served	International
Leader title	Director
Leader name	Maria Rossi

Safe Sport International is an independent nonprofit advocacy and service organization focused on athlete protection, child safeguarding, and harassment prevention in sport. It operates across multiple continents, coordinating with national associations, regional federations, and global bodies to develop standards, training, and investigative support for abuse prevention and response. The organization is recognized for convening stakeholders from International Olympic Committee-affiliated federations, continental unions, national Olympic committees, and athlete commissions to harmonize safeguarding protocols.

History

Safe Sport International was founded in the 2010s amid high-profile cases in United States collegiate athletics, United Kingdom rugby, and Australia swimming that prompted reforms in organizations such as United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, British Rowing, and Swimming Australia. Early collaborations included partnerships with the International Olympic Committee and the Council of Europe to align with the Istanbul Convention and regional child protection initiatives. The group expanded its remit after advisory roles in inquiries like the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and commissions convened following scandals involving figures associated with FIFA, World Athletics, and USA Gymnastics. Over time it engaged with continental bodies such as the European Olympic Committees and the African Union sports programs to promulgate model policies and cross-border investigative frameworks.

Mission and Objectives

Safe Sport International's mission emphasizes prevention of abuse, promotion of safe environments, and protection of athlete rights within institutions including International Paralympic Committee affiliates, national federations, and university programs like those in the NCAA. Its objectives include developing standardized codes of conduct for federations linked to FIBA, World Rugby, and International Canoe Federation, instituting reporting mechanisms compatible with laws such as the UK Modern Slavery Act where applicable, and strengthening safeguards in multi-sport events like the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games.

Governance and Organizational Structure

Governance combines a board of directors with advisory councils composed of representatives from bodies such as the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, and athlete groups from Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. The structure features an independent case management unit, a policy unit liaising with entities like the Council of Europe and regional human rights institutions, and a training division working with universities including University of Oxford, University of Toronto, and Monash University. National chapters coordinate with ministries of sport in countries such as Canada, France, Germany, and Japan for implementation and compliance.

Programs and Services

Programs include independent investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and exploitation similar to processes used by the Independent Commission models, athlete-centered legal support in collaboration with bar associations like the Law Society of England and Wales, and safeguarding audits for federations including World Athletics and International Swimming Federation. Service offerings extend to safe recruitment policies informed by standards from the United Nations child protection guidance, event safeguarding plans for tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, and restorative practice programs in partnership with organizations such as Save the Children.

Training, Certification, and Education

The organization delivers certification programs accredited by higher-education partners and professional bodies including the Institute of Directors and national sport institutes like the Australian Institute of Sport. Training curricula are tailored for coaches, medical staff, and administrators affiliated with groups such as FISU, UEFA, and CONMEBOL, and incorporate modules on athlete mental health developed with partner institutions like World Health Organization initiatives and university psychology departments. E-learning platforms provide continuing professional development credits recognized by federations including International Gymnastics Federation.

Advocacy, Research, and Policy Influence

Safe Sport International conducts empirical research publishing reports used by legislators and oversight bodies including parliaments in United Kingdom and Canada, influences policy reforms in entities like the International Olympic Committee and national Olympic committees, and advocates in forums alongside NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Its evidence informs model legislation, contributes to inquiries involving agencies like the Office of the Advocate for Children in various jurisdictions, and supports athlete rights litigation before sports tribunals such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Partnerships and Funding Sources

Key partners include intergovernmental organizations (UNICEF, Council of Europe), sports federations (World Athletics, FIBA), academic institutions (Harvard University, University of Cambridge), and civil-society groups (ChildFund International, Centre for Sport and Human Rights). Funding comes from philanthropic foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and region-specific grants from bodies like the European Commission, as well as project contracts with national Olympic committees and private donors from corporate partners linked to events like the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

Category:International non-profit organizations in sports