Every year, Safe Sport Day reaffirms the call to ensure sporting environments are free from all forms of harassment and abuse. The UCI, which has accelerated its work in this area over the last few years, takes this opportunity to draw attention to its new Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Toolkit.
Approved by the UCI Management Committee meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, last week, the UCI Safeguarding Policy details measures that can be taken to prevent, respond to and report any actions that could damage the physical and/or psychological integrity of those involved in our sport.
Aimed at all cycling’s stakeholders, the policy clearly sets out the definitions, risks and impact of different forms of harassment and abuse. It exposes measures that can be implemented to help prevent such cases arising, as well as everyone’s reporting requirements and responsibilities in the event of them suffering from or witnessing any type of harassment or abuse.
The UCI takes its responsibilities even further, with a toolkit to accompany the UCI Safeguarding Policy. This includes guidance on roles and responsibilities of cycling stakeholders, templates for codes of conduct that should be adopted by riders and individuals working with riders, as well as guidance for safe recruitment procedures, education and increasing awareness. The toolkit is for use by everyone involved in cycling – National Federations, teams, event organisers and riders -, all of whom have a vital role to play in ensuring cycling is safe for everybody.
The UCI Safeguarding Policy and UCI Safeguarding Toolkit are available on the Safeguarding page of the UCI website. They are living documents that will be reviewed and, if necessary, updated each year.
This latest initiative is part of the UCI Cycling Integrity programme, which aims to keep cycling clean, safe and fair. To help achieve these goals, the UCI already launched a campaign, in April this year, dedicated to the protection of individuals in cycling and reminding everyone to report their concerns, whether they are a victim or a witness of wrongdoing, on the UCI SpeakUp platform.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “The UCI is committed to ensuring that the sport of cycling provides a safe environment for everybody, be it riders, their entourage, officials, organisers or people working at events. Our UCI Safeguarding Policy and UCI Safeguarding Toolkit are the latest elements in our range of initiatives aiming to keep cycling at the forefront of safe sport. Our stakeholders now have clear guidance and tools to help us achieve this common goal.”