The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) has concluded its first year in operation, and just over one-third (34 per cent) of complaints of maltreatment in sports were deemed admissible for investigation.
Between June 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, the OSIC received 193 complaints of maltreatment, according to its first annual report released Wednesday. Of those, 66 were deemed admissible as they fall under the office’s jurisdiction.
As of June 30, the admissibility of nine complaints is still pending.
The purpose of OSIC is to prevent and address maltreatment in sports and influence positive cultural change. In addition to investigative and sanctioning powers, the office runs seminars and outreach for those involved in sports.
Currently, OSIC only has the authority to investigate complaints in sports funded at the federal level, such as national-level teams for hockey and soccer, and with organizations that are signatories with the office.
Since its creation, 86 federal sports agencies have become signatories. Most notably, for Hockey Canada, signing up with OSIC was a term in having its federal funding reinstated after it was pulled amid allegations the agency helped cover up sexual assault allegations involving the 2018 World Juniors Team.
These 86 organizations represent about 17,000 athletes.
When sports agencies sign on, they commit to upholding the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, drafted by the commissioner.
“We observed a broad range of participants concerned by alleged prohibited behaviours reported in Year One,” noted Sarah-Eve Pelletier, Sport Integrity Commissioner, in a statement.
“This speaks strongly to the necessary concerted efforts regarding safe sport, not only by Abuse-Free Sport but many others. Education regarding the UCCMS is also fundamental to create a strong understanding of the rules and expected behaviours in sport, prevent future maltreatment and support a positive shift in sport culture.”
Of the 66 complaints that were deemed admissible 25 per cent relate to psychological maltreatment, 17 per cent are for sexual maltreatment, 11 per cent for boundary transgressions and nine per cent are for physical maltreatment, the report said.
Coaches overwhelmingly were the primary subject of complaints, making up 40 per cent of listed respondents. Board members are second at 17 per cent, followed by athletes at 16 per cent and management or administrators at 15 per cent.
The office is hoping to expand into covering provincial matters in the future. An agreement was signed earlier this year with Nova Scotia and OSIC hopes to bring that province’s sports under its umbrella by the end of the year.
More to come…
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