Safe sport in university athletics: an analysis of Canadian university athletic policies

Abstract

Introduced in Canada in 2019, the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) represents a key measure outlining standardised prohibited conduct and processes for addressing concerns for sport organisations that receive government funding. While the adoption of the UCCMS has been mandated for national sport organisations, its implementation within other sport sectors, such as universities, remains discretionary. The presence of inadequate safe sport policies and enforcement measures in universities may place Canadian postsecondary student-athletes at risk of harm without recourse or processes for addressing concerns of maltreatment. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess whether Canadian university sport programmes have adopted the UCCMS or aligned their sport policies with the UCCMS. Furthermore, this study aimed to examine the extent to which university sport policies adhere to recommended standards for addressing safe sport concerns, including the implementation of transparent and independent reporting mechanisms. In total, 39 Canadian university websites were reviewed. The findings suggest significant variation in whether and how the UCCMS is adopted and implemented. Few universities referenced the UCCMS, and policy coverage of prohibited behaviours was inconsistent. Sanctions for misconduct were often unclear, with limited adoption of UCCMS-recommended measures. Reporting procedures were inadequate, with most Canadian universities lacking outlined reporting protocols. Complaint management pathways also varied, with most universities directing complaints outside athletic departments, but within the university. Standardised safe sport policies and procedures aligned with the UCCMS in Canadian universities are needed to ensure student-athlete safety and well-being.