The OCIS / UCCMS
Overview
On February 15th, 2023, Badminton Canada is announced that it has become a signatory to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and is joining Abuse-Free Sport at the national level. This means that Badminton Canada will follow the harmonized rules for government funded sports organizations set out by the UCCMS and that eligible complaints will be addressed through the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OCIS).
About Abuse-Free Sport
Abuse-Free Sport is Canada’s independent system for preventing and addressing maltreatment in sport. Their ultimate goal is to work with others throughout the Canadian sport system to ensure that every participant – no matter the sport, the level, or the role – has a safe, positive and enriching experience.
Abuse-Free Sport provides access to a wide range of resources, all of it available in English and French, including:
- Canadian Sport Helpline
- Education Library
- Abuse-Free Sport Education Accreditation Program
- Legal Aid Program
- Abuse-Free Sport Research Grant Program
- Mental Health Services
- Policy Support
For more about Abuse-Free Sport, click here.
About the UCCMS
The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is the core document that sets harmonized rules to be adopted by sport organizations that receive funding from the Government of Canada to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences.
The UCCMS addresses:
- common principles and a commitment to advance a respectful sport culture;
- standard definitions of various forms of maltreatment, including grooming, neglect, and physical, sexual, and psychological abuse;
- a list of other prohibited behavior such as retaliation, failure to report maltreatment, intentionally filing false allegations, misuse of power, etc.; and
- a framework for determining appropriate sanctions against such prohibited behavior.
For more about the UCCMS, click here.
About the OSIC
The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) is responsible to administer the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) using trauma-informed processes that are compassionate, efficient and provide fairness, respect and equity to all parties involved.
The OSIC operates as an independent division of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). The SDRCC was created by the Physical Activity and Sport Act (S.C. 2003, c.2) (the “Act”) with the mandate to provide to the sport community: a) a national alternative dispute resolution service for sport disputes; and, b) expertise and assistance regarding alternative dispute resolution. The SDRCC was also mandated by the Government of Canada, on July 6, 2021, to establish an independent safe sport mechanism to implement the UCCMS at the national level.
For more about the OCIS, click here.
Eligibility
In the first instance, Badminton Canada is joining Abuse-Free Sport at the national level. This means that national level player, coach, technical official, staff, BCan volunteer committee member and contractor complaints in which allegations involve a breach of the UCCMS will be handled by the OCIS.
Complaints in which:
- allegations involve a breach of the Badminton Canada Code of Conduct but does not involve a breach of the UCCMS
- the complaint respondent is a Badminton Canada member not at the national level
are handled by Badminton Canada's Independent Third Party.
Getting Help
Should any individuals involved with Badminton Canada at the national level wish to report any instance of misconduct or maltreatment that involves a potential breach of the UCCMS, they may do so through this secure OCIS reporting portal.
Any individuals at the national level who wish to report misconduct that involves a potential breach of the BCan Code of Conduct may do so by contacting the Safe Sport Officer, Lise Maclean (lise@wiserworkplaces.ca) (an independent third party) who will then determine the appropriate forum and manner to address the complaint.
Complaints at the provincial or club level should be addressed through the respondent's PTSO. Reporting structure is unique to each PTSO, with policies and proceedures outlined on each PTSO website, under "Safe Sport".