SAFE SPORT

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field believes everyone has the right to participate in the sport of Athletics at the level or position of their choosing. Athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators have a right to feel safe and included in both training and competitive environments that are free of abuse, harassment or discrimination.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is an action or a decision that treats a person or a group badly for reasons such as their race, age or disability. These reasons, also called grounds, are protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

What is harassment?

Harassment is a form of discrimination. It includes any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or humiliates you. Generally, harassment is a behaviour that persists over time. Serious one-time incidents can also sometimes be considered harassment.

Harassment occurs when someone

  • makes unwelcome remarks or jokes about your race, religion, sex, age, disability or any other of the grounds of discrimination;
  • threatens or intimidates you because of your race, religion, sex, age, disability or any other of the grounds of discrimination;
  • makes unwelcome physical contact with you, such as touching, patting, or pinching.

Inform yourself

To maintain a Safe Sport environment, the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club has a Harassment Policy and process which you can view on our website. The Board of Directors feel very strongly about Safe Sport and stands firmly behind the Club’s Statement of Expectations and the Athletics Ontario Code of Conduct Policy.

Links to relevant documents can be found below. We strongly encourage all members, coaches, athletes, parents, volunteers and officials, to read the FULL policies regarding the statement of expectations and harassment.

How to be an effective complainant

The following suggestions are provided by Athletics Canada and were generated by participants of the “How to Complain Effectively” workshops, part of Ombudsman Ontario’s Community Education Program.

  • Let your anger motivate and give you energy. Try not to express it negatively.
  • Be calm, cool and collected when expressing your complaint.
  • Be clear and concise when describing the problem.
  • Treat people who you are talking to as you would like to be treated: with respect and courtesy.
  • Listen carefully to the other person.
  • Keep detailed records of the names of people you spoke to, the date and time and their response.
  • Ask questions.
  • Find out about any relevant complaint and appeal process.
  • If you are not satisfied with a response, ask for a referral to someone at the next administrative level.
  • Put your complaint in writing and keep copies of all documentation.
  • Decide what you want and what you are willing to settle for.
  • Be flexible and open-minded in attempting to resolve and find a solution to the problem.

To make a complaint about Code of Conduct issues please email complaints@ottawalions.com.