Safe Sport, Conduct, and Athlete Protection Policy

2.1 SAFE SPORT, CONDUCT, AND ATHLETE PROTECTION POLICY

Purpose

The purpose of this Safe Sport, Conduct, Communications, and Athlete Protection Policy is to ensure that all activities governed by Fencing-Escrime New Brunswick (FENB) are conducted in a safe, respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment, free from abuse, harassment, maltreatment, discrimination, intimidation, and retaliation.

This policy establishes a single, integrated Safe Sport framework for FENB by consolidating and governing the standards previously set out in FENB policies relating to:

• Safe Sport and athlete welfare

• Code of conduct and ethical behaviour

• Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination protections

• Communications and social-media conduct

This policy promotes accountability, consistency, transparency, and fairness while protecting participant welfare and the integrity of the sport of fencing in New Brunswick.

This policy aligns with and adopts, where applicable, the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), and the Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF) Safe Sport Policy Manual. Where required, matters will be referred to and administered under national Safe Sport mechanisms.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals involved in FENB activities, including:

• Athletes

• Coaches and athlete support personnel

• Officials and referees

• Volunteers

• Board members and committee members

• Employees and contractors

• Parents, guardians, and spectators

• Affiliated clubs when acting under FENB authority or branding

This policy applies to conduct occurring:

• During training, competitions, events, programs, clinics, travel, and meetings

• In physical, digital, and virtual environments, including electronic communications and social media

• At the provincial and club level where FENB governance, sanctioning, or branding applies

• Where conduct may reasonably impact participant safety, dignity, welfare, or the integrity or reputation of FENB and the sport of fencing

Policy

A. Safe Sport Principles

FENB upholds the core principles of Safe Sport:

• All participants have the right to participate in sport free from abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation

• The welfare, safety, and long-term development of athletes — particularly minors and vulnerable participants — take priority over competitive or organizational objectives

• Power imbalances must be recognized and never abused

• Prevention, education, reporting, and enforcement are shared responsibilities

• Safe Sport standards apply equally in physical, digital, and virtual environments

B. Standards of Conduct and Ethical Behaviour

All individuals subject to this policy are expected to:

• Conduct themselves with integrity, honesty, respect, and fairness

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the piste

• Respect the dignity, safety, and rights of all participants, regardless of race, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, or belief

• Avoid behaviour that could reasonably damage FENB’s reputation or violate any laws, contracts, or organizational standards

• Use FENB resources, authority, property, equipment, records, and systems responsibly and for authorized purposes only

• Report any conduct known or suspected to be contrary to this policy

Individuals in positions of authority, including coaches, officials, Board members, staff, and team leaders, have heightened responsibilities and must model appropriate behaviour at all times.

C. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of this policy:

• Physical, psychological, or emotional maltreatment

• Sexual harassment, exploitation, or assault

• Neglect, humiliation, or inappropriate discipline

• Grooming behaviours or boundary violations

• Bullying, hazing, coercion, or abuse of authority

• Discrimination on the basis of protected grounds

• Retaliation or intimidation against reporters or participants

• Interference with reporting or investigation processes

• Knowingly making false or malicious complaints

• Failure to report known or reasonably suspected Safe Sport violations when a duty to report exists. Failure to report may itself result in disciplinary action.

D. Rule of Two and Supervision Standards

FENB applies the “Rule of Two” to ensure appropriate supervision of athletes, particularly minors. This rules recommends that:

• At least two screened adults be present during interactions with athletes

• One-on-one interactions be held in observable and interruptible environments

• These standards apply to training, competitions, travel, locker-room environments, and virtual settings

Supervision, screening, and renewal requirements must be met in accordance with the Human Resources Policy (Section 2.7) and the Volunteer Management Policy (Section 2.10).

E. Communications and Social-Media Conduct

This policy governs all forms of communication associated with FENB, including but not limited to:

• Email, text messaging, and electronic messaging systems

• Official websites and online platforms

• Newsletters and press releases

• FENB social-media accounts (including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X/Twitter)

• Personal or club-level social-media activity that references or represents FENB

Governance and Oversight

• FENB shall appoint a Webmaster or Communications Officer responsible for managing and monitoring official communications platforms

• Where this role is vacant, responsibility rests with the Executive Director

• The Board of Directors must approve all official public statements, media releases, or formal responses issued on behalf of FENB

Operational Standards

• Public statements, online posts, and media engagements must reflect professionalism, accuracy, and respect for others.

• The official website must contain current information on programs, competitions, events, policies, committees, and contact details

• Website content and links must be reviewed at least annually to ensure accuracy and currency

• FENB will comply with Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and will not issue unsolicited electronic communications

Safe Sport Controls

• No one-on-one electronic communication with athletes under 18 unless Rule-of-Two conditions are met

• Communication with minors should normally occur through parents or guardians

• Photos or videos of minors may only be published with proper consent and without identifying information

• Association-owned social-media accounts must be monitored regularly, with inappropriate content addressed or removed in a timely manner

Serious communication-related incidents (including cyber-bullying, harassment, defamation, or threats) may result in discipline and may be referred to external authorities where appropriate.

Communications during emergencies or reputational incidents must follow the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17).

F. Reporting Obligations

Any individual who experiences or witnesses conduct contrary to this policy must report the concern promptly.

Reports may be made to:

• The Executive Director

• An authorized independent reporting mechanism such as the NB Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism: https://www.sportnb.com/nb-safe-sport-complaint-mechanism/

• The Canadian Safe Sport Program / Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), where UCCMS jurisdiction applies: https://cces.ca/report-safe-sport

Anonymous or third-party reports will be considered when sufficient information is available.

G. Investigation, Discipline, and Authority

All reports will be:

• Treated seriously and handled confidentially

• Managed with procedural fairness for all parties

• Investigated internally or by an independent third party as appropriate

Records of complaints and investigations shall be managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Policy (Section 2.11).

Where incidents present material safety, legal, or reputational risk, escalation will occur in accordance with the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17).

Disciplinary outcomes may include removal from activities or events, suspension or termination of membership, permanent ineligibility, or referral to external authorities.

H. Protection from Retaliation

Retaliation against any individual who makes a good-faith report or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious breach of this policy.

I. Education, Training, and Prevention

FENB will provide ongoing education and training on Safe Sport, ethical conduct, reporting obligations, appropriate boundaries, and communications standards.

Training completion shall be tracked and documented in accordance with the Human Resources Policy (Section 2.7) and Volunteer Management Policy (Section 2.10).

J. Concussion, Medical, and Mental-Health Support

FENB enforces its Concussion Protocol and is committed to the prevention, identification, and management of concussions.

• Coaches, officials, and relevant personnel must complete approved concussion-awareness training

• Athletes have the right to appropriate medical and mental-health support

• FENB will maintain and share access to referral resources and qualified professionals

Medical emergencies or suspected trauma will be managed in coordination with the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17).

K. Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years or sooner if required by:

• Updates to the UCCMS, CSSP, or CFF Safe Sport framework

• Legislative or regulatory changes

• Operational experience or Safe Sport incidents

Related FENB Policies

The following policies are referenced in and support the implementation of this policy:

• Human Resources Policy (Section 2.7)

• Volunteer Management Policy (Section 2.10)

• Privacy and Data Protection Policy (Section 2.11)

• Crisis and Emergency Management Policy (Section 2.17)

Approved April 2026