Abuse in sport has received considerable attention recently. Prompted by a CBC investigation published in February 2019 and other reporting on high-profile cases, as well as a number of announcements from federal Minister of Science and Sport, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan (2018 - 2019) on how to make sport safer for Canadian athletes, abuse in sport has become a topic of national conversation. Since then, former Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault (2019-2021), and current Minister of Sport, the Honourable Pascale St-Onge (2021-), has understaken many actions to help eliminate abuse and maltreatment in sport in Canada.
This guide is intended to provide an overview of child abuse in sport and developments related to the Canadian safeguarding framework, as well as clarify how Ontario's child welfare system and the evolving national system of safe sport complement each other.
This guide is intended as a supplementary resource for Children's Aid Society staff as well as members of the Ontario sport community.
It is not intended as an authority on social work or legal practice, nor is it meant to be representative of all perspectives in child welfare. CAS staff are encouraged to think critically when reviewing publications and other materials, and to always confirm practice and policy at their agency.