Along with viaSport British Columbia and the provincial sport sector, Special Olympics BC is working to make sure we have a positive, respectful, engaging, accessible, and inclusive environment for all participants. We are dedicated to ensuring a safe sport culture for all British Columbians.
As part of this, SOBC offers a workshop to help athletes identify and address bullying and harassment. We want to make sure everyone feels they have the tools to recognize and help stop incidences of bullying and harassment in sport. The training also talks about online activities, hoping to help everyone stay safe in online conversations. It aims to help everyone ensure our sport programs stay safe, encouraging, and fun for all.
In spring 2020, we launched a virtual version of the workshop in order to offer the opportunity more widely. In 2021, the workshop became a two-day course, allowing for more in-depth and interactive discussions.
Upcoming Workshops
To express your interest in upcoming events, please contact SOBC Program Manager Melainie Hatt by email at mhatt@specialolympics.bc.ca or by phone at 250-919-0757.
Athlete Projects
As part of the two-day workshop, athletes are asked to submit projects related to the course material. Check out the powerful pieces below created by SOBC athletes!
- Be an Upstander by SOBC – Surrey athletes Sky Hendsbee and Kayley Olund-Rak
- Bullying poem by SOBC – Nanaimo athlete Simon Phipps
- Don't Be a Bully by SOBC – Vernon athlete Stacy Pavlov
- What Bullying Means to Me by SOBC – Langley athlete Brittany Schenderling
- Bullying Stops Here by SOBC – Langley athlete Kaitlin Schneider
- Stand Up Against Bullying by SOBC – Abbotsford athlete Paige Norton
- Bullying Needs to Stop by SOBC – Smithers athlete Torben Schuffert
SOBC Policies
SOBC has a Code of Conduct. This is intended to ensure a safe and positive environment within our programs, activities, and events by making Individuals aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behaviour.
We also have policies and procedures to help fairly resolve disputes and address complaints within our sport programs and events.
- SOBC Code of Conduct
- SOBC Dispute Resolution Policy
- SOBC Discipline and Complaints Policy
- All SOBC Policies
More Resources
- SOBC Safe Sport resources
- Government of British Columbia erasebullying.ca
- viaSport #ERASEbullying campaign
- WorkSafe BC anti-bullying information
Contact
Melainie Hatt
SOBC Community Development Coordinator (Kootenays)
mhatt@specialolympics.bc.ca
250-919-0757
Video
Watch viaSport's #ERASEbullying in sport video with B.C. sport stars including SOBC – Abbotsford athlete Paige Norton: