Creating a safe and respectful environment – key foundations

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To build safe and respectful environments, it is essential to become familiar with a set of principles, definitions and key terms related to violence and harassment in sport.

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Core principles

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The essential principles of safeguarding in sport are:

• No form of violence or harassment has a place in sport.

• The well-being of every individual, especially minors and adults at risk, must always come first.

• Everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, language, background, religious beliefs or sexual orientation — has the right to be protected from violence and discrimination.

• All concerns and allegations of violence or harassment must be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

• Every adult involved in sport has a role to play in protecting vulnerable groups.

• Collaboration with other organisations, minors and their parents (or guardians), as well as adults at risk, is essential to prevent and respond effectively to risky situations.

• It is essential that everyone knows how to report a concern.

Definitions and key terms

• The two main categories of abuse: violence (physical, sexual, psychological, neglect) and harassment (moral, sexual and online)

• Other key safeguarding terms: grooming, consent and discrimination

Violence

Interpersonal violence in sport can take different forms, mainly:

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Physical violence
Deliberately causing physical harm. This includes any use of physical force intended to cause pain or discomfort, even if minor (e.g. hitting, slapping, kicking, shaking, scratching, biting, burning, etc.).

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Sexual violence
Includes acts prohibited by Belgian law such as voyeurism, non-consensual sharing of sexual content, public indecency, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, grooming of minors for sexual purposes, sexual assault, rape and violations of sexual integrity.

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Psychological (emotional) violence
Ongoing emotional abuse that harms a person’s development and well-being. It may involve humiliation, intimidation, manipulation or silencing, often within a power imbalance.
Not all criticism or jokes are harmful — constructive feedback is essential — but it becomes violence when it causes harm.

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Neglect
Acts of omission that endanger the health or safety of an athlete, such as:

• Lack of supervision in risky environments

• Inappropriate methods for age or development

• Lack of rest, food or water

• Failure to provide a safe training environment
  Even if unintentional, consequences can be serious.

Harassment

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Moral harassment (bullying)
Repeated, intentional aggressive behaviour, often involving a power imbalance (e.g. threats, rumours, exclusion, verbal or physical attacks).

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Sexual harassment
A range of unwanted behaviours of a sexual nature, including comments, gestures, requests for sexual favours or inappropriate physical contact.

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Online harassment (cyberbullying)
Harassment through digital platforms (messages, rumours, sharing private content, exclusion online), often repeated and harmful to mental well-being.

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Key safeguarding terms

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Grooming (psychological manipulation)
A process where a person in a position of authority builds trust with a participant through attention, gifts or opportunities, in order to manipulate them. This often extends to gaining trust from the surrounding environment.

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Consent
A mutual agreement given freely before something happens, which can be withdrawn at any time.
⚠️ For minors, consent in certain situations (especially sexual) is not legally valid. Under Belgian law, a minor under 16 cannot consent to a sexual relationship with an adult. Any such situation must be considered abuse and reported immediately.

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Discrimination
Any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on personal characteristics (age, gender, disability, origin, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) that limits equal rights and freedoms.

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Racial discrimination (racism)
Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, origin, skin colour or related characteristics.