Statement of the Swiss Society for Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy SSSPP: Violence and abuse in competitive sports
Statement of the Swiss Society for Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy SSSPP on violence and abuse in competitive sports and on the report “The Magglingen Protocols“ in Das Magazin of November 1st, 2020:
The SSSPP shares the suffering of victims of violence and abuse in any form, in competitive sports and in the general population.
All athletes have a right to engage in “safe sport”, defined as an athletic environment that is respectful, equitable and free from all forms of non-accidental violence to athletes. Yet these issues represent a blind spot for many sports organisations through fear of reputational damage, ignorance, silence, or collusion.
All forms of harassment and abuse breach human rights and may constitute a criminal offence. Therefore, there is a legal and moral duty of care incumbent on those who organise sport, to ensure that risks of non-accidental violence are identified and mitigated.
