The Coach Athlete Pledge, a commitment to maintaining healthy training environments, summarizes 10 best practices to ensure that future generations of athletes have safe and positive experiences. The pledge serves as a valuable document that helps ensure all parties—athletes, parents, and coaches—understand the expected standards of behavior.
#WeRideTogether created the Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams (C.A.R.D. Diagrams) to help coaches, athletes, parents, and bystanders recognize and identify patterns of healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics. These diagrams can be used as a gut check; think about conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community and discern if what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach/athlete relationship. If you are experiencing or observing patterns of power and control, you can find additional information, including confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, on our Crisis Resources page.
There is no right or wrong method for seeking justice following the experience of sexual abuse or misconduct. #WeRideTogether suggests survivors reflect and evaluate their options and make decisions for themselves in accordance with what they need and are ready for, with the help of personal and professional support. We encourage you to use this infographic, read, and visit the sources cited in this blog post, as well as learn about the laws in your state, consult with a legal options counselor, and/or chat with a restorative justice agency near you.