Reporting
Racquetball Canada & Abuse-Free Sport
We have joined Abuse-Free Sport, which is an independent program that is part of a growing national movement to prevent and address maltreatment in sport in Canada. As a program signatory Racquetball 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 (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) by individuals designated by Racquetball Canada as UCCMS Participants.
Where there are admissible allegations of abuse, harassment or discrimination, the OSIC conducts independent investigations and recommends sanctions against individuals who violate the UCCMS.
OSIC will also maintain a national sanctions registry, which prevents individuals from evading sanctions by moving to different sports or to different jurisdictions.
OSIC provides 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.
Independent Third Party for Racquetball
We have engaged the services of Sportlex Group as our Independent Third Party Case Manager.
Sportlex Group, led by Montreal-based sport lawyer Adam Klevinas, in collaboration with other sport lawyers, is independent of Racquetball Canada and has a wide range of expertise and experience in sport-related disputes in Canada and internationally. Sportlex Group offers services in French and English and can review, advise, and refer issues for further action independently of Racquetball Canada. If you wish to connect with Sportlex Group, click on the Independent Third Party Case Manager button in the “Making a Report” section.
Making a Report
Do you want to make a confidential report about misconduct or make a complaint? The type of allegation or complaint and who it is directed towards determines what you do next.
If you need additional assistance in filing a complaint or to speak to someone about your concerns in confidence, contact the Canadian Sport HELPline.
Any allegation of maltreatment or other prohibited behaviour as defined in the UCCMS against a UCCMS Participant must be reported to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commission (OSIC).
Racquetball Canada UCCMS Participants include:
- Board of Directors and Standing Committees
- Operational Committee Chair and members of the Athlete Development Committee, High Performance Committee and the Sport Development Committee
- Provincial Representatives
- Racquetball Canada Staff and Contractors (Therapists, IST, Team Managers, etc.)
- National Team Training Coaches and International Team Coaches
- Contracted Officials at National events
- National Team Athletes
Any allegation of maltreatment or other prohibited behaviour as defined in the UCCMS against someone who is NOT listed above as a UCCMS Participant should be be reported to Racquetball Canada’s Independent Third Party Case Manager.
Complaints that to do not relate to UCCMS (ie: team selection, policy infraction) should be reported through Racquetball Canada’s Independent Third Party Case Manager.
Abuse-Free Sport Helpline
Are you a victim of abuse, harassment or discrimination in a sport environment. Have you witnessed such an incident?
The Abuse-Free Sport Helpline provides professional listening and referral services by phone and text at 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) and by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
The anonymous, confidential, independent service allows people to share and validate their concerns, obtain guidance on required next steps, and get referrals to other resources for follow up.
Are you in Crisis?
The Abuse-Free Sport Helpline is not a crisis line. For all urgent situations requiring immediate intervention, contact:
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- Police: 9-1-1
- Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4pm to midnight ET)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Other Sport Helplines
Sport’Aide (Québec)
Sport’Aide is an independent non-profit organization which offers guidance, support and orientation services for young athletes, but also to the various players in the sporting world (parents, coaches, sport organizations, officials and volunteers) who have witnessed violence against young people.
Manitoba Sport Support Line
Sport Manitoba takes its commitment to athlete safety very seriously and has established a Sport Support Line managed 365 days of the year to ensure community members participating in sport have an appropriate outlet to report abuse. In Manitoba the law requires that anyone who suspects a child may be in danger must report their concerns. The Support Line can assist you in making that report.
Sask Sport Sport Line (Saskatchewan)
The Sask Sport Resource Line (including E-Support service) provides information, bilingual support, resources and referrals for sport in Saskatchewan regarding possible bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination or hazing. This confidential and anonymous resource, operating 365 days of the year from 9 am to 9 pm, is intended to assist callers in determining the most appropriate course of action to take. The Respect Resource Line staff is qualified to handle calls regarding child and youth maltreatment (national/provincial child and youth protection laws) and organization-specific risk management and dispute resolution models.
