You don’t have to figure this out alone.
We are here to help.
Calls outside of business hours are routed to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline available 24/7.
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We assist athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone in athletic communities who are concerned about emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Our team of specialized counselors offers confidential support through calls, text, and online chat.
Being an athlete requires confidence and empowerment. From recreational sports to elite athletics, athletes have courage, grit, and persistence, with a unique drive that keeps them constantly pushing and growing. Everyone has their “why,” and this “why” is their motivating factor through the ups and downs that fuel them for long-term success. In the world of sports, the “why” for an athlete can be tested at a core level in the face of abuse. If you have experienced this, you are not alone.
According to research, abuse happens across all sports, and 40-50% of athletes have experienced some form of abuse, with about 8% having been impacted by sexual abuse. Such experiences can leave an athlete feeling isolated and hopeless. Here at the Courage First Athlete Helpline, we are able to help any athlete by providing emotional support, connection to resources, and information on how to report. We want to empower athletes to overcome these circumstances; Not only by granting access to the necessary support and counseling, but also by building confidence and the opportunity to move forward in a positive way.
Being a parent can be hard enough at times. When your own child has shared that they have been abused at the hands of an adult they thought they could trust, this poses an even greater challenge to you as a parent. It can be overwhelming and distressing when your child tells you about abuse, and you might not know what to do or think.
It may be difficult to know how to support a child athlete in finding the right resources or knowing what steps to take to get your family the help needed to navigate such a tough situation, especially in the complex world of sports. Just like you, we understand that the topic of abuse is serious. Give us a call or chat with us, and we will be happy to support, listen, and help you figure out the next steps to keep your child safe.
The prevalence of abuse in sports has come to light in the last decade. The stories from survivors of recent high-profile cases and other ongoing systemic abuse in elite, collegiate, recreational, and professional organizations have been eye-opening and increased public awareness. As a coach, you want the best for your players and you push them to reach their ultimate potential. As the great soccer coach Jose Mourinho once said, “Coaching is taking a player where they can’t take themselves.”
When you’ve been made aware of or suspect abuse is occurring with one of your players, the role as a coach to take your player where they can’t take themselves may seem like a daunting task. Knowing how to help keep them safe and supported, as well as figuring out how to assist them in getting the help they need, cannot be done alone.
Navigating what next steps to take, knowing how to support your player, and knowing who to notify to ensure the best for your athlete is what we are here for. Call or chat to consult with us today.
Being a concerned bystander is a powerful role. If you have witnessed or suspect abuse in the life of a young athlete, you are in the unique position of being able to intervene and perhaps prevent further harm.
Providing bystander intervention has the power to save a life, but it also comes with many common questions.
How do I stay safe if I intervene?
How can I best support the athlete?
How do I take action and who can I speak with?
Am I overreacting?
These are all normal and valid questions when considering if and how to get involved in reaching out for help on behalf of an athlete. Call, text, or chat to brainstorm the best way to use your powerful advocacy to help secure a heart or save a life.
An abuser’s best friend is silence. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you seek the courage to make a call for yourself, the courage to help another, or the courage to continue healing as a survivor, we are here to support your journey every step of the way.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Courage First Athlete Helpline is presented by the Foundation for Global Sports Development/Sidewinder Films and the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.