4/16/2025
When we protect our athletes, we protect Para Sports.
Para athletes, driven by competition and community, showcase skill, speed, and determination in every classification. From the court to the track to the ice to the water, these athletes demonstrate discipline, strategy, and resilience, both individually and as part of their teams. Adapting, innovating, and competing at the grassroots and highest levels, para athletes display masterful technique and deep preparation. When we protect para athletes, we keep these sports safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Para Sports Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Para Sports has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Some Para Sports require specialized equipment, which can be meaningful as they provide not only access to sport, but also increased mobility for some Para athletes. If handled incorrectly or without care by community members or support staff, misuse of equipment can lead to injury of athletes and loss of agency for Para athletes.
- Some Para athletes need assistance from care staff to help them participate in sport. In addition to coaches, administrators, and other sporting officials, these care assistants also have power over Para athletes, which can be leveraged both for care and support or for power and control. When safeguards are not kept in place, unhealthy relationships can form.
- Para athletes face risks of discrimination and stigma from the broader athletic community and society at large. Also rely on lots of volunteers, who need to be vetted and receive safeguarding training.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
10/6/2026
Gresham Man Accused Of Faking His Age To Participate In Youth Sports And Sexually Abusing Children, Faces More Charges
10/1/2026
Ohio State Could Owe Millions More to Prior Strauss Sex-Abuse Plaintiffs
9/30/2026
Burke County high school coach charged with felony sex act with a student
9/30/2026
Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies
9/24/2026
Ex-NC State sports medicine director indicted on sexual abuse charges involving student-athletes
9/24/2026
Former Johnstown teacher, coach, councilman sentenced to probation after texting teen
Para Sports Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Environmental Safety, Safeguarding, Governing Bodies, and Coaching within Para Sports.
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Move United - Adaptive Equipment
Safeguarding
Find a list of adaptive sports suppliers and resources.
Move United Inclusive Playbook
Environmental Safety
Gain an understanding of Para sport for youth athletes.
Para Sport Against Stigma Coach Toolkit
Coaching
Develop an understanding of how to make your sporting environment.
Taking care to perform: injury prevention in Para sport
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of injury prevention in Para sports.
Understanding Classification in Para Sports
Governing Bodies
Learn about classification and eligibility in Para sports.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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