CoViS Module 4 – Coping with Violence in Sport

Coping with Violence in Sport

Safety, support, recovery and restoring control after violence

Experiencing violence can affect an athlete’s sense of safety, trust, confidence and participation in sport. People may react in very different ways: some recognise immediately that something was wrong and seek help, while others may feel confused, afraid, embarrassed, angry, shocked or unsure about what to do next.

There is no single “correct” reaction and no fixed recovery timeline. The purpose of support is to help the person regain safety, support and a sense of control – not to pressure them to react or recover in a particular way.

Why this module matters

Coping should not be treated as the athlete’s responsibility alone. Teammates, coaches, trusted persons, sport organisations and qualified professionals can all help create conditions in which the person feels safe to seek support and continue their recovery.

Learning goals

After completing this module, participants should be able to:

› identify appropriate immediate actions after an experience of violence;

› respond with listening, respect and support rather than blame or pressure;

› identify trusted persons and build a practical support network;

› understand that recovery is individual and may change over time;

› support a safe return to sport and recognise when professional support may be needed.

1. After experiencing violence in sport: the first steps

The moments after an incident can be confusing and stressful. The immediate priority is not to make every decision at once. It is to reduce further risk, help the person reach a safer situation and connect them with support.

2. Psychological and emotional support by other people

Violence can produce different emotional reactions. Fear, anger, sadness, embarrassment, guilt, confusion or little visible reaction are all possible. A person’s reaction should not be used to judge how serious the experience was or whether they are telling the truth.

A supportive response can be organised around three principles: LISTEN – RESPECT – SUPPORT (see Module 3 for more detailed information on bystander’s proposed actions).

When an athlete or affected person describes what happened, the following responses can help:

Respect needs and choices

A person who has experienced violence may feel that control has been taken away from them. Whenever possible, support should restore choice: explain available options, ask what the person needs and involve them in decisions that affect them. Any safeguarding or legal duties should be explained clearly rather than presented as a surprise.

Listen without judgement

Allow the person to speak in their own words and at their own pace. The first role of a teammate, coach or trusted person is not to investigate, but to help the person feel heard and supported.

3. Trusted persons and support networks

Knowing who to turn to is an important part of coping. A trusted person is someone the athlete feels safe speaking to and believes will listen seriously, respect their needs and help them understand the next options.

My support map

4. Recovery, restoring control and returning to sport

Recovery is individual

There is no fixed timetable for recovery. For some athletes the effects may decrease relatively quickly; for others they may continue to influence safety, confidence, relationships or participation in sport for longer.

What may change after experiencing violence in sport

› motivation to train or compete;

› confidence and self-esteem;

› relationships with teammates or coaches;

› concentration and sense of safety;

› willingness to participate in particular activities;

› trust in other people.

These reactions may change over time. Statements such as “You need to move on” or “Try not to think about it anymore” may unintentionally minimise the experience.

Restoring control and returning to sport

A central part of recovery is helping the athlete regain an appropriate level of choice and control. Whenever possible, the person should be involved in decisions that affect their support and participation.

Choices may include

› whom they want to speak to;

› what type of support they would like to receive;

› how they participate in training while they recover;

› whether temporary adjustments would help them feel safer;

› how and when they receive information about next steps.

Returning to the sporting environment

For some athletes, returning to training or competition may support recovery. For others, the same environment may initially feel difficult or unsafe. Sport organisations should avoid pressuring a person to resume normal participation before they feel ready.

The objective is not to remove the athlete from sport. It is to make participation possible without compromising safety and well-being.

5. Rebuilding trust and knowing when more support is needed

Violence in sport can affect trust, particularly when the person responsible held a position of authority or responsibility. Rebuilding trust may take time, and organisations contribute to this process through serious responses, appropriate confidentiality, clear communication, safeguarding measures and follow-up.

When professional support may be helpful

Support from teammates, family, coaches and other trusted people can be valuable. However, if significant emotional distress continues or the experience is affecting daily life or participation in sport, appropriately qualified professional support may be helpful.

How can sport organisations support recovery?

Recovery should not depend only on the athlete and their personal support network. Sport organisations can help create conditions for safe recovery by:

– providing access to a safe and trusted contact person;

– protecting privacy and confidentiality appropriately;

– communicating clearly about available support and next steps;

 – considering reasonable temporary adjustments to training or participation;

– reducing unnecessary contact with the person or situation associated with the concern, where appropriate;

– following up over time rather than assuming that support is needed only immediately after the incident.

Support services differ between countries. The CoViS platform should therefore provide clear, country-specific and up-to-date information for Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia on relevant internal and external sources of support.

6. The CoViS Coping & Support Check

A simple five-question check can help an athlete or supporter focus on what matters after experiencing violence in sport.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.