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1. Deal with immediate safety first
If a message threatens violence, reveals where you are, or suggests someone may harm you imminently, do not keep engaging just to gather more evidence. Move to a safer place if you can, tell someone you trust, and contact local emergency services or law enforcement as appropriate. The right emergency route depends on where you are; a sport organization can help coordinate support, but it may not replace emergency services.
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2. Make a factual record
Write down what happened while the details are fresh. UN Women and UNESCO guidance on reporting mechanisms says organizations may record the allegation and incident details, information about the reporter and alleged perpetrator, injuries, and witnesses. This is organizational guidance, not a universal forensic standard.
What to note
- Date and time, including the time zone if relevant.
- Platform and where the content appeared, such as a public post, comment, direct message, or group.
- The account name or other identifier shown, and a link or post identifier if available.
- A concise, factual description of the content and any related incidents.
- Witnesses who saw the content or may have relevant information.
- Any effects, such as feeling unsafe, missed training, or needing support.
Keep relevant context and follow any instructions from the platform or the safeguarding body receiving your report. A screenshot can help you remember and explain what you saw, but by itself it does not establish authenticity or guarantee that material will be legally admissible. The sources here do not set a universal digital preservation protocol.
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If content includes intimate images, personal information, or material involving a minor, avoid forwarding it broadly. Ask a trusted safeguarding contact or qualified legal professional how to handle it safely.
3. Report the content and limit unwanted contact
Use the platform’s own reporting process for the post, message, or account. The report helps the platform assess the content under its rules; it is separate from reporting the incident to a sports organization or the police. Keep your factual record and any relevant post links for the next reporting route, but do not circulate harmful material unnecessarily.
Meta’s June 11, 2024 article describes Facebook and Instagram tools including Hidden Words, Limits, Restrict, tag and mention controls, blocking, and the option to turn off direct-message requests. These are Meta-specific examples, not features available on every service. Interfaces change, so check the current settings and help instructions in the app you use. Such controls may reduce exposure or contact; they do not resolve the underlying conduct.
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Look for a safeguarding or welfare officer, federation integrity contact, event reporting route, league, or national governing body channel. Start with the organization that has jurisdiction over the team, event, or sport involved. If you are unsure who that is, ask a trusted team official or athlete representative to help identify the right contact.
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The IOC consensus statement on harassment and abuse in sport recommends that organizations define responsibilities, reporting and referral mechanisms, neutral resolution processes, and support options. When you contact a sport body, you can ask:
- Who receives the report, and what information do they need?
- How will information be stored or shared, and what confidentiality limits apply?
- Are anonymous reports accepted, and can you ask questions without making a formal report?
- What support or referral options are available?
- What will happen next, and who can update you?
Do not assume a report will remain confidential or lead to a particular outcome. Ask the organization directly about its process and any limits, including legal ones.
One federation example
United World Wrestling (UWW) says: “You may use the anonymous Integrity & Safeguarding Reporting Form or contact UWW via [email protected] to report – anonymously or not – any alleged misconduct.” UWW says it handles reports confidentially and discreetly to the extent permitted by law and as appropriate. This is UWW’s route, not a universal reporting channel for other sports. Its page describes psychological abuse as unwelcome conduct such as verbal assault, humiliation, or intimidation, and sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that may be verbal, non-verbal, or physical; those are UWW’s descriptions, not universal legal definitions.
5. Choose the right route for each need
| Route | What it can address | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Platform reporting | Whether content or an account violates that service’s rules. | Use the platform’s current reporting flow; its review is separate from sport or legal processes. |
| Team, event, league, or federation safeguarding channel | Concerns within the organization’s sport responsibilities and access to support or referrals. | Jurisdiction, who handles reports, anonymity, confidentiality limits, and next steps. |
| Local emergency services or law enforcement | Immediate danger or conduct that may warrant local authorities’ attention. | Use the appropriate route for your location; legal thresholds and procedures differ. |
These routes can be used alongside one another when appropriate; using one does not guarantee action by another. The IOC’s “Draw the line” resource advises reporting witnessed concerns to a sport welfare officer and says people who do not feel able to approach someone can contact the IOC hotline. Check the IOC resource directly for current contact details.
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6. Get support and reduce exposure
You do not have to manage the abuse alone or be responsible for stopping it. Consider telling a trusted teammate or support person, contacting an athlete welfare officer or union or association, or seeking help from a counselor or clinician. The IOC consensus emphasizes support systems for athletes and access to qualified professional support. Law enforcement may also be appropriate depending on the situation and your location.
The IOC consensus treats cyber-based conduct as part of the wider problem of harassment and abuse in sport, where power differences and organizational culture can affect both harm and reporting. The IOC statement defines safe sport as “an athletic environment that is respectful, equitable and free from all forms of non-accidental violence to athletes.” Online harassment is not simply a problem with an athlete’s social-media habits.
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