There are many organizations and academics dedicated to researching and advancing safeguarding in sports. But the truth is, “interpersonal violence in sport is challenging to define, prevent, and remedy” because it is so complex and personal.(1) To truly address abuse and harassment in sport, we need both a big-picture view and deep, nuanced understandings. That’s why it takes many voices and disciplines working together to advance the relevant research and action.
Between 2022 and 2024, 15 experts from around the world worked together to synthesise 16,000+ pieces of evidence and develop up-to-date safeguarding guidance in the 2024 “IOC Consensus statement: interpersonal violence and safeguarding in sport.” This sweeping statement provides one of the most, if not the most, comprehensive looks at the safe sport landscape thus far. The research methods, findings, and results provide readers with a wealth of knowledge that can better inform sport safeguarding on all levels of society.
Moving from knowledge to understanding, the Sports Equity Lab at Stanford has partnered with #WeRideTogether to break the Consensus down into bite-sized chunks. The result of this collaboration is The People’s Guide to the 2024 IOC Safeguarding Consensus, which unpacks and expands critical points from the Consensus. This dissemination project will provide 10 modules highlighting key takeaways from the 2024 IOC Consensus with visuals, activities, and social content that can be tangibly applied and integrated into sports communities. This 10-part series aligns with the values and missions of the Sports Equity Lab at Stanford and #WeRideTogether to promote awareness, eliminate inequities, and provide everyone with accessible information on positive values and best practices to keep sports healthy and athletes thriving.
The People’s Guide to the 2024 IOC Safeguarding Consensus offers all sport stakeholders actionable, evidence-based, and trauma-informed steps to advance effective safeguarding. Keeping sport healthy is a shared responsibility–we all have roles to play and we must work together as we navigate them.
It is worth noting that an erratum—correcting a terminology definition in Section 1—will soon be published. This correction does not affect the research findings. Rather, it offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of building the Consensus and presents a learning opportunity for the broader safeguarding field.
Reflecting on the writing process, Dr. Tuakli-Wosornu noted that the consensus itself surfaced some of the simple truths our 10-part series, The People’s Guide to the 2024 IOC Safeguarding Consensus, aims to unpack. Like #WeRideTogether’s experience in this space, Tuakli-Wosornu observed that in academia, there is scope to learn from one of the Consensus’ key findings: mutuality and cooperation are essential to both safeguarding and performance. “Researchers often focus on individual goals, emphasizing individual components of their work in isolation. Academic spaces can also be very siloed.” That is egosystem thinking, where individual achievement trumps shared purpose. “In contrast,” Tuakli-Wosornu continued, “the Consensus calls for ecosystem thinking, which prioritizes collaboration, adaptability, and collective success. When we work together to create value for all participants within a system or team, we win more and we win well.” Referred to in the Consensus as “relational health,” this mindset is vital not only for safe sport—but also for those studying it.(2)
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Collaboration matters. Mutual support and attention matter. When it comes to safeguarding, our research, programs, policies, and initiatives MUST follow ecosystem thinking and stay athlete-centered. When we lose sight of athletes’ and other sport participants’ well-being as the singular goal, performance, progress, and outcomes suffer.
Moreover, learning matters. Even with hundreds of experts involved, missteps can happen—and owning them fuels growth. What’s most important is progress over perfection and taking timely action in the forward direction. Progress isn’t linear; it’s a trend driven by collaboration, not ego. This means there must be curiosity, accountability, and permission to fall forward. To truly support athlete well-being, we must stay oriented to a shared goal, communicate openly, and make thoughtful corrections together—always guided by the north star of athlete thriving.
After that glimpse behind the curtain of researchers tackling abuse in sport, we invite you to act. Let go of perfection. Center athletes in your safeguarding efforts. This series calls on all of us to take a step forward—together, with open minds—starting with the sports in our own communities.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this dissemination project, which discusses how winning and well-being go hand-in-hand. In the meantime, complete this simple activity to make progress on effective safeguarding in your sporting space.
Kathryn McClain, MSW, MBA
Program and Partnerships Director at #WeRideTogether
References:
- Tuakli-Wosornu YA, Burrows K, Fasting K, et alIOC consensus statement: interpersonal violence and safeguarding in sportBritish Journal of Sports Medicine 2024;58:1322-1344.
- Scharmer, C. O., & Kaufer, K. (2013). Leading from the emerging future: From ego-system to eco-system economies. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
