2/24/2025
When we protect our athletes, we protect Roller Sports.
From recreational levels to the elite and extreme arenas, athletes in all roller sports must learn to master the skills of balance and coordination. From roller skating and roller derby to inline skating, hockey, scootering, and more, roller sports develop athletes’ cardiovascular fitness and strength. The social perks and confidence building also sharpen athletes’ mental focus to master new skills and flow. Whether you are learning how to skate, competing, or performing center stage, it's all for the love of wheels. When we protect our roller sport athletes, we keep this sport 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 Roller Sports Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Roller Sports has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Roller sports involve fast movement and sometimes contact, depending on the specific sport. Roller sports athletes are at high risk of injury, particularly broken bones and head trauma, especially if they are not taught to use proper protective equipment. Injured athletes may be especially vulnerable to abuse or exploitation when dependent on those in power to make treatment and return-to-sport decisions. Inadequate injury prevention and treatment protocols may be signs of neglect in the sporting environment.
- Team environments can be potential havens for peer-on-peer abuse, hazing, and bullying. These behaviors are often encouraged, minimized, or normalized rather than taken seriously.
- Roller sports require a high level of trust between athletes, coaches, and other trainers. This level of trust can lead to psychological dependence, blurred boundaries, and/or grooming between athletes and coaches over time.
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
Roller Sports Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Mental Health, and Safeguarding within Roller Sports.
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Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
F.E.A.S.T.
Mental Health
Find support, resources, or connections for families affected by eating disorders.
How to Safely Learn Rollerblade Tricks
Physical Safety
Learn how to safely develop roller skating skills and injury prevention.
In-Line Skating and Skateboarding Safety
Physical Safety
Learn about safe equipment use in inline skating.
Inline Skating Active & Safe
Safeguarding
Learn about common inline skating injuries, prevention, and concussion management.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Athletic Performance
Mental Health
Develop an understanding of the impact that disordered eating has on athletic performance.
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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