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IOC consensus statement: interpersonal violence and safeguarding in sport

journal contribution
posted on 2025-01-20, 15:36 authored by Yetsa A. Tuakli-Wosornu, Kirsty Burrows, Kari Fasting, Mike Hartill, Ken Hodge, Keith Kaufman, Emma Kavanagh, Sandra L Kirby, Jelena G MacLeod, Margo Mountjoy, Sylvie Parent, Minhyeok TakMinhyeok Tak, Tine Vertommen, Daniel RhindDaniel Rhind

Objective Interpersonal violence (IV) in sport is challenging to define, prevent and remedy due to its subjectivity and complexity. The 2024 International Olympic Committee Consensus on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding aimed to synthesise evidence on IV and safeguarding in sport, introduce a new conceptual model of IV in sport and offer more accessible safeguarding guidance to all within the sports ecosystem by merging evidence with insights from Olympic athletes.

Methods A 15-member expert panel performed a scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodologies. A seminal works-driven approach was used to identify relevant grey literature. Four writing groups were established focusing on: definitions/epidemiology, individual/interpersonal determinants, contextual determinants and solutions. Writing groups developed referenced scientific summaries related to their respective topics, which were discussed by all members at the consensus meeting. Recommendations were then developed by each group, presented as voting statements and circulated for confidential voting following a Delphi protocol with ≥80% agreement defined a priori as reaching consensus.

Results Of 48 voting statements, 21 reached consensus during first-round voting. Second-round and third-round voting saw 22 statements reach consensus, 5 statements get discontinued and 2 statements receive minority dissension after failing to reach agreement. A total of 43 statements reached consensus, presented as overarching (n=5) and topical (n=33) consensus recommendations, and actionable consensus guidelines (n=5).

Conclusion This evidence review and consensus process elucidated the characterisation and complexity of IV and safeguarding in sport and demonstrates that a whole-of-system approach is needed to fully comprehend and prevent IV. Sport settings that emphasise mutual care, are athlete centred, promote healthy relationships, embed trauma- and violence-informed care principles, integrate diverse perspectives and measure IV prevention and response effectiveness will exemplify safe sport. A shared responsibility between all within the sports ecosystem is required to advance effective safeguarding through future research, policy and practice.

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume

58

Issue

22

Pages

1322 - 1344

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Rights holder

© Author(s) (or their employer(s))

Publisher statement

This article has been accepted for publication in British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024 following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108766.

Acceptance date

2024-10-10

Publication date

2024-11-25

Copyright date

2024

ISSN

0306-3674

eISSN

1473-0480

Language

  • en

Depositor

Dr Minhyeok Tak. Deposit date: 18 January 2025

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