10/9/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Volleyball.
Setters, hitters, middle blockers, and liberos all know the value of repetitions on the ball and the importance of footwork. It doesn’t matter if you are playing a large tournament in a loud convention center or with hot sand under your feet. Your love of the sport is on display even when peppering with your partner or solo at the wall. Volleyballers know it takes camaraderie and a cheering team to set up game-winning moments. A great float or jump serve, that impossible dig, a stuffed block, and the perfectly placed kill. Victory is a team effort. When we protect our volleyball players, 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 Volleyball Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Volleyball has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Volleyball practices and competitions often take place in a variety of venues, and often require a frequent amount of travel. It can be difficult to discern isolated and/or other high-risk areas when locations are unfamiliar.
- Volleyball is a team sport, and team environments can foster peer-on-peer abuse, hazing, and/or bullying. This behavior may be trivialized and seen as athletes “paying their dues” and “normal,” instead of being treated seriously.
- If an athlete or coach causes harm, sports organizations may move them to different teams, instead of enforcing consequences.
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.
10/7/2026
Indiana high school volleyball coach charged with possessing child sex abuse material
9/28/2026
New Report Details Why Texas Tech Fired Volleyball Coach Tony Graystone
8/20/2026
This Coach Is Banned From Working With Kids. Why Is He Still Coaching?
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
Volleyball Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Mental Health, and Safeguarding within Volleyball.
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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.
FIVB Health Information
Safeguarding
Resources dedicated to the health of players and referees.
Sports Injury Prevention: Volleyball
Physical Safety
Tips for injury prevention in beach volleyball.
Sports Medicine Resources for Volleyball
Physical Safety
A collection of resources on injury prevention in volleyball.
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.
View Crisis Resources
