Safe Sport

The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (also operating as Boccia Canada) has a fundamental obligation and responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the organization and its participants. We believe that athletes, coaches, sport assistants, officials, staff, and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive environment that is free from abuse, harassment, bullying and/or discrimination. CCPSA takes any situation involving misconduct very seriously and is committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and consistent policies, procedures, and processes to address misconduct, in our commitment to safe sport.

If you find yourself in crisis based on something that is ongoing within your sport environment or has happened in the past, we have put steps in place to ensure your concerns are heard. Please keep reading to decide which is the best step for you to take.

Your concerns are very important to us.
We know taking this first step is hard.
Thank you for taking it.

What You Need to Know: How to File a Complaint

If your complaint falls within the scope of the CSSP and the CCES and is in breach of the Universal Code of Conduct to prevent Maltreatment in Sport, (UCCMS) direct your complaint to the CCES via two methods.  

Report online here.  

Report by phone: 1-833-858-CSSP (2777). 

Get help and information
You can contact the CSSP team with questions or for support here. 

If your complaint is in breach against CCPSA policies, it should be directed to our Independent Third Party: Sport Dispute Management.

Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP)
The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (also operating as Boccia Canada) has adopted the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), which is in effect as of April 1, 2025.  

Through the CSSP Rules, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) independently administers the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) for federally funded, national-level sport organizations by receiving and responding to reports of prohibited behaviour, and by developing and carrying out education, prevention, and policy activities.  

Find out more information about the CSSP and the UCCMS here.  

Canadian Safe Sport Participants
These individuals have been identified as Canadian Safe Sport Program Participants and fall within the CCSP when reporting a complaint: 

  • Athletes
  • Board of Directors
  • CCPSA Staff 
  • Coaches 
  • Integrated Support Team 
  • Officials (i.e., Classifiers, Referees, Technical Delegates) 
  • Performance Partners

How to Report a Complaint

As of April 1, the CCES will accept reports through an online report form and by phone – both methods allow you to remain anonymous if you wish. If you choose to share your name when you make a report, the CCES will not share it with your sport organization unless it is necessary to keep you or someone else safe and will make every effort to get your consent beforehand. Report online here.  

Report by phone: 1-833-858-CSSP (2777).  

Get help and information
You can contact the CSSP team with questions or for support here.  

Complaints that fall outside the CSSP should be directed to our Independent Third Party (ITP): Sport Dispute Management (details below) 

Independent Third Party (ITP)

To ensure impartiality, we have retained Sport Dispute Management as an Independent Third Party, and they will help you through the process of reporting on your complaint. The first step in the process is to share your concerns with them. They will ask you to complete this form. If you have questions for them before completing the complaint form, they can be reached at here.  

The Independent Third Party is empowered to launch appropriate policies as required based on evidence or a situation reported. Your contact with the Independent Third Party is confidential, subject to certain legal limits.   

Complaints of misconduct under the CCPSA policies should be directed to the Independent Third Party and NOT CCES.  

CSSP Participant e-Learning and Screening
Training and screening are essential elements of ensuring our boccia community is safe and free of harassment and abuse for all participants. 

The CCPSA’s (Boccia Canada) Screening Policy contains required screening for CSSP Participants based on the risk level associated with their role.  All CSSP Participants associated with CCPSA/Boccia Canada in positions of trust or authority will be required to submit screening documents and complete e-learning modules administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.  

CSSP Participant e-Learning and Screening

Training and screening are essential elements of ensuring our boccia community is safe and free of harassment and abuse for all participants. 

The CCPSA’s (Boccia Canada) Screening Policy contains required screening for CSSP Participants based on the risk level associated with their role.  All CSSP Participants associated with CCPSA/Boccia Canada in positions of trust or authority will be required to submit screening documents and complete e-learning modules administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.  

Complete Your e-Learning
We will notify all designated participants who are subject to the CSSP. This includes, but is not limited to, specified athletes, board members, employees, casual staff, volunteers, and contractors, support staff, and medical staff.  

Everyone who is subject to the CSSP must complete the e-learning course and sign the participant consent form. We will distribute an invitation that includes a link to sign up, instructions, and a code to access the course from the CCES online education portal. If you have questions about your education requirements, email [email protected].

Additional Resources