Measures across borders to prevent sexualised violence in sports

Background The topic of "Child Welfare Endangerment - Sexualized Violence against Girls and Boys" is a cross-sectional social problem that organized sports, as an important part of our society, must and does face. The project should strive for a broad sensitization of society and especially of organized sports at all levels. Together, a culture of attention, of looking and of responsible action should be created in children's and youth sports in Aachen and Eupen, and potential perpetrators should be prevented from entering sports clubs. Above all, transparency and openness should protect children and young people from sexualized violence in sports. Objectives The project should reach a broad and transnational public. For this purpose, various media (flyers, information brochures and action guidelines for sports clubs) are to be laid out and produced. The long-term goal is to create a non-violent atmosphere in the club. The project is intended to educate and sensitize members and employees to the issue of sexualized violence against girls and boys in sports. Part of the protection mandate for the target group of children and young people, who require special protection, is also to develop measures for the prevention and intervention of sexualized violence in sports, to be aware of them and to anchor them within our organizational structures. Implementation We implemented all activities as planned. Starting with the kick-off events in Aachen and Eupen, the workshop for the development of guidelines and codex and the training of contact persons in June. In September, the big multiplier event took place, where we welcomed all partner organizations, members, political representatives, etc. In December, we introduced the digital association café with the last event, which we would now like to offer every 3-4 months for our members. Achievements Many clubs are still afraid of exposing themselves to general suspicion if they openly address the issue of sexualized violence in sports. However, sport - like all other areas of life - is one of the areas in which perpetrators operate. Therefore, the topic should not be left out in any club. A sports club is not discredited by the fact that assaults can occur in its own organization, but at best by the unprofessional way in which it deals with them. In addition to broad public relations work and raising awareness of the issue, a protection concept for prevention and intervention in the event of sexualized violence in sports has been developed for both the Aachen City Sports Association and the Eupen Sports Association. The guidelines serve to enable clubs on site to deal with the topic, to take preventive action and to find orientation in cases of crisis and suspicion and thus to remain capable of acting. The training of contact partners enabled employees to act preventively and to develop intervention options for integration into the structures of sports clubs, sports federations and sports associations.