Safe Sport
The WDSF Presidium adopted the WDSF Presidium Operating Policy on Safeguarding (“The WDSF Safeguarding Policy”) to protect athletes and members from harassment and abuse within DanceSport.
Know your Rights
The WDSF Safeguarding Policy is based on the following two principles that form a safe and inclusive sport:
1.1 Equal Rights
All Protected Persons, regardless of their sex, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, political affiliation or ability, have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and without any form of discrimination.
1.2 Safe Environment
All Protected Persons have the right to participate in DanceSport in a safe environment, free from harassment and abuse.
What is Harassment and Abuse?
Harassment and abuse can take many forms, and can be generally classified into physical, psychological or emotional, and sexual abuse categories.
These forms of harassment and abuse inflict intentional harm on an individual, and may occur:
- in a single incident or in combination with different forms of abuse
- in the short- or long-term
- in-person and/or online.
Harassment and abuse can be based on any grounds, including race, religion, colour, creed, ethnic origin, physical attributes, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status and athletic ability.
The WDSF extends the definition of harassment and abuse to include bullying, grooming, hazing, neglect, physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and mistreatment.
In cases of abuse, psychological or emotional abuse often occurs as well, as defined in the Policy Section 5.1.7:
Psychological abuse” means “any unwelcome act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilisation, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity and self-worth”
We encourage you to read the WDSF Safeguarding Policy for a definition of the terms.
WDSF Safeguarding Policy
The WDSF Safeguarding Policy is presented in two parts:
This includes the definitions of various forms of harassment and abuse, scope and applicable law.
This details case-management procedures, acceptable conduct around children, disciplinary sanctions, and victim-centered support.
Who is protected
As written in the WDSF Safeguarding Policy Section 5.iv:
“Protected Persons” shall refer to all individual athletes, DanceSport couples, DanceSport duos and athlete teams, officials, chairs/chairpersons, judges/adjudicators, coaches, managers, persons affiliated to WDSF’s National Member Bodies, WDSF competition organizers and all other accredited persons listed above who are bound by this Policy;
We are not only protected but also collectively responsible in upholding the principles of safe sport.
Speak Up
Witnessing harassment and abuse and failing, refusing or neglecting to say anything might give the impression that such behavior is acceptable. If you are experiencing harassment or abuse or think someone else is, tell your national federation, or report to the WDSF Safeguarding Unit confidentially, by filling in this reporting form, and emailing it to the WDSF Safeguarding Officer, at [email protected].
Safeguarding Officer WDSF
- IOC Safeguarding Officer in Sport Diploma;
- Ph.D. in Education (Developmental and Psychological Sciences);
- M.A. and B.A. in Psychology;
Contact: [email protected]
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or harm, please contact emergency services such as the police, ambulance, national suicide or crisis hotline immediately.
Further resources
For Athletes, Coaches, Officials, Entourage and Delegates
- IOC Athlete365 Safeguarding Athletes from Harassment and Abuse (E-learning Course):
- IOC Resources: Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport (Definitions)
IOC Safe Sport
For WDSF National Member Bodies
The following resources, alongside the WDSF Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, might be useful in your WDSF Member body’s development of a Safeguarding Policy.
Related Codes
- WDSF Code of Ethics
- WDSF Disciplinary Council Code
- WDSF Adjudicators’ Code of Conduct
- WDSF Athletes’ Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics
- WDSF Internal Dispute Resolution Code
Published on 14 December 2023 (last update on 1 April 2024)