Impulses for an open, secure and sound sporting environment in Europe

Initiatives in Europe and beyond

During 2011-12, CPSS director Mike Hartill served as an expert in the EU-funded project, “Prevention of Sexual Violence in Sports – Impulses for an open, secure and sound sporting environment in Europe”, led by the German Sports Council.

In a Europe-wide dialogue, a network of European sports federations and other child protection organisations came together to discuss prevention initiatives and raise awareness in their own structures. The network was advised by a group of renowned scientists from 12 European countries. The project conference in Berlin presented a catalogue of prevention initiatives from different countries. Mike and Mel both delivered presentations at the conference to a European audience of politicians, policy-makers and journalists and these can be found here. Karen Leach presented the keynote speech ‘The truth of abuse’.

A series of recommendations were also presented to the European Commission in 2013 and endorsed by a number of European sport agencies and associations.