Canadian Bowler Statement on Safe Sport
The Canadian Bowler (The Organization) has a fundamental obligation and responsibility to protect the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of every individual that is involved in the Bowls community.
The Organization takes situations involving misconduct or maltreatment very seriously. For this reason, the Organization is committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and effective policies and processes for preventing and addressing all forms of misconduct or maltreatment.
The Organization’s policies are intended to promote a Safe Sport environment in a manner that allows for consistent, immediate, appropriate and meaningful action should any issues arise. They are also intended to prevent issues from arising in the first place by communicating expected standards of behaviour.
Should any individuals involved with the Organization, including but not limited to Athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and parents/guardians of Athletes, wish to report any instance of misconduct or maltreatment, they may do so directly to the Organization, which will then determine the appropriate forum and manner to address the complaint.
*The Organization makes the following commitments to a sport environment free from Maltreatment:
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All Participants in sport can expect to play, practice and compete, work, and interact in an environment free from Maltreatment.
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Addressing the causes and consequences of Maltreatment is a collective responsibility and requires the deliberate efforts of all Participants, sport stakeholders, sport club administrators and organization leaders.
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Participants in positions of trust and authority have the general responsibility to protect the health and well-being of all other Participants.
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Adult Participants have a specific ethical and statutory duty and the additional responsibility to respond to incidents of Maltreatment involving Minors and other Vulnerable Participants.
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All Participants recognize that Maltreatment can occur regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, Indigenous status, or level of physical and intellectual disability and their intersections. Moreover, it is recognized that those from traditionally marginalized groups have increased vulnerability to experiences of Maltreatment.
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All Participants recognize that individuals who have experienced Maltreatment may experience a range of effects that may emerge at different time points and that can profoundly affect their lives.
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All adults working with children and youth have a duty to prevent or mitigate opportunities for misconduct.
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Individuals affiliated with the Organization will complete appropriate mandatory training on preventing and addressing harassment and abuse.
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In recognition of the historic vulnerability to discrimination and violence amongst some groups, and that continues to persist today, Participants in positions of trust and authority have a duty to incorporate strategies to recognize systemic bias, unconscious bias, and to respond quickly and effectively to discriminatory practices
The Organization recognizes the recent development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (“UCCMS”) and the responsibilities of Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) to integrate the UCCMS into its policies. The Organization will align its safe sport policies with BCB and the UCCMS as much as possible.
Since the UCCMS may continue to evolve in the foreseeable future, the Organization policies incorporate the key elements of the current version of the UCCMS as follows (which are noted in each safe sport policy by an *):
