Safe Sport
Volleyball Alberta (VA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive sport environment for everyone involved in our community. All concerns related to Safe Sport or breach of VA’s policies, must be submitted through Alias – the centralized complaint management reporting tool. If the submitted complaint is determined to be safe sport related, it will be processed independently and confidently through the Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism (ABSSCM). If the complaint is general in nature but not within the scope of safe sport, it will be triaged accordingly within ALIAS’ system, and processed in a confidential nature by VA’s senior management.
VA is committed to fostering volleyball environments that are safe, respectful, and inclusive, where everyone can participate with confidence and trust. VA maintains zero tolerance for harassment, abuse, or discrimination of any kind.
How to Report a Complaint
All complains that are determined to be safe sport related, or related to a breach of VA’s policies must be reported directly to ALIAS
ALIAS follows the framework of Volleyball Alberta’s Discipline & Complaints Policy
There are two (2) ways to report a complaint
1) Visit: ALIAS’ “Report A Complaint” link
or
2) Call: 1-833-834-1029
A report may be submitted by:
- Someone who experienced the behaviour
- A witness
- Someone with reasonable grounds to believe maltreatment occurred
Reports must be made in good faith
- Reports may be submitted anonymously
- In some cases, the Case Manager may request additional information to continue the process
Report a Complaint
1-833-834-1029
1-833-834-1029Reminder: complaints that are club related are best directed to the respective club’s leadership.
How Complaints are Assessed
Once a report is submitted:
- the concern is reviewed and jurisdiction is determined
- If the concern meets the definition of maltreatment under the Alberta Universal Code of Conduct (ABUCC), it remains with ALIAS for Safe Sport handling
- If the concern does not fall under the ABUCC, the case is directed to the appropriate organization, which may include VA for internal handling through the appropriate policy or process. This triaging will occur within the reporting platform.
This approach ensures:
- One clear reporting pathway
- Independent screening and jurisdictional assessment where necessary
- Appropriate handling based on the nature of the concern
What Happens After a Report is Submitted?
After a report is submitted through the Independent Third Party Mechanism (ITPM) complaint form:
- A trained, qualified, and neutral ALIAS Case Manager reviews the report
- The Case Manager determines whether the concern meets the definition of maltreatment under the AB UCC
- If the concern falls within Safe Sport jurisdiction, ALIAS manages the process independently
Appropriate next steps are determined, which may include:
- Education or early resolution
- Investigation
- Independent hearing or adjudication
VA’s role is to implement outcomes, not influence decisions.
Not all reports result in investigations or sanctions; outcomes depend on the nature and context of the concern.
What is the Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism? (ABSSCM)
The Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism (ABSSCM) is Alberta’s independent reporting and resolution system for serious misconduct in sport.
The ABSSCM is coordinated by the Alberta Sport Leadership Association (ASLA), which supports a safe, inclusive, and well-governed sport system across Alberta through shared policies, education, and sector-wide tools.
It is administered by ALIAS, an Independent Third Party Mechanism (ITPM) that is
- Staffed by trained, neutral Safe Sport professionals
- Independent from Volleyball Alberta staff and Board of Directors
- Applied consistently across Alberta sport organizations
- Focused on safety, fairness, and due process
In simple terms:
ASLA oversees the provincial Safe Sport framework, the ABSSCM is the provincial Safe Sport system, and ALIAS is the independent body that operates it and manages complaints.
Volleyball Alberta does not investigate Safe Sport complaints internally. All reports are submitted through the ABSSCM and reviewed by ALIAS.
The ABSSCM is designed to ensure:
- Confidential handling of information
- Procedural fairness for all parties
- Protection against retaliation
- Participant safety as a priority
Read the ABSSCM
Learn more about ASLA
Who does the ABSSCM apply to?
The ABSSCM applies to all Volleyball Alberta members and all VA related activities when a concern involves Prohibited behaviour (maltreatment) connected to VA activities.
This may include reports involving:
- Athletes
- Coaches and Club Directors
- Referees
- Volunteers
- Staff and Board members
- Parents/guardians (when involved in VA activities)
- Affiliated clubs/organizations (when participating in or connected to VA activities)
Important:
The ABSSCM is used for maltreatment-related concerns. Other matters (for example: competition rules and refereeing decisions) are typically handled through VA or other appropriate processes.
What is the Alberta Universal Code of Conduct (AB UCC)
The AB UCC sets clear standards for behaviour in sport.
It outlines:
- Expected conduct
- Prohibited behaviours
- Responsibilities of participants
- Reporting obligations
The goal is to ensure sport environments that are:
- Safe
- Respectful
- Fair
- Free from maltreatment
Read the Alberta Universal Code of Conduct
Who does the AB UCC apply to?
The AB UCC applies to all VA members, registrants and participants, including:
- Athletes
- Coaches and Club Presidents
- Referees
- Volunteers
- Staff and board members
- Parents/guardians involved in VA activities
What is Considered Maltreatment?
Psychological Maltreatment
- Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation
- Humiliation or degrading behavior
Physical Maltreatment
- Non-accidental physical harm
- Unsafe training practices
- Withholding medical care or rest
Sexual maltreatment
- Sexual activity without consent
- Grooming behaviours
- Sexualized comments or contact
Neglect
- Failure to protect a participant
- Ignoring safety risks
- Withholding necessary support
Discrimination & Harassment
- Behavior based on protected grounds (e.g., race, gender, disability)
Important: Maltreatment does not include reasonable coaching decisions, performance feedback, or selection decisions made in good faith.
VA's Commitment to Safe Sport
Volleyball Alberta is committed to:
- Supporting a culture of respect and accountability
- Ensuring clear and accessible reporting pathways
- Educating participants about Safe Sport responsibilities
- Aligning all internal policies with provincial requirements
VA has adopted several policies aimed at addressing the maltreatment of individuals in sport which include:
• Screening
• Abuse
• Code of Conduct & Ethics
• Discipline & Complaints
A full list can be found on our policies page.
Volleyball Canada’s Open & Observable Spaces (Rule of Two)
Open, observable, and justifiable interactions and communications are strongly recommended to foster safety, enhance protection, and help reduce the vulnerability of both the athlete and adult(s) in a position of trust.
Commonly referred to as the Rule of Two, it means that there will always be two screened and safety-trained adults with a participant, especially a minor athlete, when in a potentially vulnerable situation. Applying the Rule of Two is a measure that helps mitigate opportunities for maltreatment and abuse to occur.
Vulnerable situations include but are not limited to:
• Closed doors meetings
• Medical treatments
• Travel to and from trainings, competitions, events, or activities
• Any training or competitive environments without a second coach or responsible adult present (in the gym, in the weight room, etc.)
• Electronic communications
“Open and Observable Environments” is VC’s version of rule of two. As in rule of two, this practice still involves making meaningful and concerted efforts to avoid situations where a person in authority (coach, official, staff member, IST member etc.) might be alone with an athlete and/or vulnerable individual.
The name refers to the fact that interactions between an individual and an individual who is in a position of trust/authority should be in an environment or space that is both “open” and “observable” to others.
For a full description with examples and frequently asked questions, please download the Open and Observable Spaces Guidelines.
• NEW: Rule of 2 info-graphic
Education & Training
Volleyball Canada requires that all individuals involved with the sport across the country take the new safe sport training module, available via the Coaching Association of Canada website.
As of April 1, 2020, anyone associated with a Sport Canada-funded organization must be trained on conduct to prevent and address maltreatment. This includes coaches, referees, parents of youth athletes, high-performance staff and contractors, officials; and all administrative staff and volunteers whether they may have direct contact with athletes or not.
The safe sport module is a free, 90-minute eLearning module that gives all participants the tools to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport. The module aligns with the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport and meets Sport Canada requirements for Safe Sport education.
Visit the safe sport training site for more info:
https://safesport.coach.ca/
To take the training, you must create an account in “The Locker”, even if you are not a coach (it’s free!)
Resources
Kids Helpline
Call: 1-800-668-6868
Text: 686868
Website: kidshelpphone.ca
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP)
Website: suicideprevention.ca
Bullying Helpline
Call: 1-888-456-2323
Chat (8am-8pm): Bullying Helpline Chat
Trans Lifeline
Call: 1-877-330-6366
Website: translifeline.org
Child Abuse Hotline
Call: 1-800-287-5437
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness
Call: 1-855-242-3310
Website: hopeforwellness.ca
Mental Health Helpline
Call: 1-877-303-2642
Victim Services Government of Canada
Website: crcvc.ca/for-victims/services/
Mental Health for Sport
The Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CMHS) is a registered charity supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes, coaches, and performing artists. The CCMHS is the first Centre in Canada to offer collaborative sport/performance-focused mental health care services designed to help athletes, coaches, and performing artists achieve their performance goals while preserving their mental health and well-being. The CCMHS provides mental health services to competitive and high-performance athletes and coaches, as well as competitive performing artists.
Here are the eligibility criteria:
• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must participate in a sport or performance domain at a competitive or high-performance level
• Must be experiencing mental health challenges
Refer yourself or someone else to access sport/performance-focused mental health care from anywhere in Canada.
Calgary Distress Centre
(403) 266-4357 (HELP)
Edmonton Distress Centre
(780) 482-4357 (HELP)
