The #WeRideTogether Pledge is an example code of conduct that includes a set of 10 best practices to help keep sporting environments safe, healthy, and fun for all. While we know that more than 50% of athletes will experience abuse or misconduct; that 13-15 is the average age of the first incident of abuse in sport; and that authority figures and peers are the most common perpetrators of abuse, implementing these simple best practices can help protect us all and maintain the integrity of our sports.
With this in mind, all community members should understand what is and is not appropriate behavior. Codes of conduct protect everyone in the sporting space by ensuring we all understand the expected standards of behavior. Athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, parents, and other relevant participants should acknowledge and uphold the code of conduct. Everyone has a role to play in preventing abuse and creating an environment where all participants can thrive.
Implement these ten best practices in your sporting environment today!
#WeRideTogether Pledge
1. I will keep interactions observable and interruptible.
I will ensure my interactions with other participants are observable and interruptible, both in person and online, and will avoid unnecessary one-on-one interactions in isolated settings.
This best practice follows the Rule of Three and the Window Rule, protecting athletes and adults from abuse and misconduct. When interactions, in person and online, are kept observable and interruptible, it is harder for harm to occur and easier for safe, active bystanders to intervene.
2. I will maintain appropriate boundaries.
I will never engage in inappropriate, sexual, or otherwise harmful conversations or communications with another participant.
Boundaries ensure that relationships between coaches and athletes remain appropriate. As a coach, it is not your responsibility to be a counselor, a friend, or a stand-in parent. It is your responsibility to know your reporting requirements, direct athletes to appropriate resources if needed, and stay within your expertise.
3. I will respect physical boundaries and obtain consent.
I will obtain consent before physical contact and limit physical contact to what is appropriate, necessary, and relevant to sport instruction, participation, or safety.
Consent is a fundamental principle in violence prevention, but it doesn’t only apply to sexual relationships. For example, consent must be obtained for touching an athlete to correct their form.
Consent requires that a person be informed, make a decision voluntarily, and be competent to do so, meaning an athlete knows what they are agreeing to. All three of these components must be met. When we apply this to athletes of all ages and in all settings, we must consider the power imbalance between athletes and people in positions of power, perhaps another athlete, a coach, a medical professional, a staff member, or another authority figure. For a romantic or sexual relationship between an athlete and a person in a position of power, consent isn't possible. The three components of valid consent cannot be met.
4. I will maintain safe boundaries when lodging.
When lodging for sport, I will ensure interactions between adults and minors remain observable and interruptible. I will not enter a minor’s hotel room or other private living space except when necessary and permitted under applicable policies or safety procedures.
Travel for competitions, clinics, or camps can be one of the best parts of sport. It can also be dangerous. Maintaining safe boundaries means that athletes can glean the benefits of these valuable opportunities without experiencing harm.
5. I will prioritize safe transportation.
I will avoid one-on-one transportation between an adult and a minor whenever possible. I will ensure that transportation arrangements are consistent with applicable policies and include appropriate consent from the parent/guardian and the athlete.
Like lodging, transit can be both extremely valuable and a place of heightened risk. Increased supervision and maintaining safe boundaries help athletes travel free of harm.
6. I will avoid favoritism and inappropriate gift-giving.
I will not give individual gifts to participants in a way that could create favoritism, secrecy, or a sense of obligation. When gifts are appropriate, I will provide them equitably to the entire team or group.
Gift-giving can seem like a non-issue. But targeting an athlete is one of the key steps of grooming. So unless a gift is given to the entire team, avoid giving it.
7. I will not provide prohibited substances.
I will help create a sport environment that is free from alcohol, illicit drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and other prohibited substances.
Keeping sport substance-free helps create a safer, healthier environment for everyone. This means not providing, encouraging, normalizing, or facilitating substance use, and creating a culture where substance use is not part of participation, training, or competition.
8. I will help create safer physical spaces.
I will help keep training and activity spaces safe by identifying, avoiding, and reducing hidden, isolated, or otherwise vulnerable areas whenever possible.
Risk assessment mapping exercises are a great way to fulfill this best practice. Maintaining a safe physical environment prevents all kinds of abuse and can be done simply and for free.
9. I will respond to suspected or disclosed abuse.
If I learn about or suspect abuse, I will follow all applicable reporting requirements. If someone discloses abuse or harm to me, I will respond supportively, take the disclosure seriously, and help connect them with appropriate resources.
It’s important to follow the reporting requirements in your jurisdiction and within your organization. For more information, read this Response and Reporting Guide and visit these crisis resources.
10. I will be a Safe, Active Bystander.
If I recognize that these best practices—or other boundaries intended to protect participants—are being violated, I will, when appropriate, safely intervene directly or indirectly, or seek help from someone who can.
Being a Safe, Active Bystander doesn’t mean you have to be confrontational. It does mean you have to act. When you see something troubling, you can respond in several ways. By intervening directly, you name, reframe, and get away from inappropriate behavior, thereby removing the victim from harm. By intervening indirectly, you could drop your water bottle or document the inappropriate interaction. Whatever you choose to do, choose to do something.
Download the #WeRideTogether Pledge
Your sporting organization can use this code of conduct, or reach out to info@weridetogether.today for help developing your own evidence-based, athlete-centered, trauma-informed code of conduct — for free. If you wish to create your own code of conduct, you can use #WeRideTogether’s Safeguarding Essentials Template Package to build the essential documents your organization needs to begin its safeguarding journey.
If you or someone you know needs support, visit our crisis resources.
Kathryn McClain, MSW, MBA
Program and Partnerships Director at #WeRideTogether
kmcclain@weridetogether.today
