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.
This helpline is designed to assist athletes, parents, coaches, and any allies interested in ensuring physical and mental safety for sports communities by offering confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
YOUR SAFETY IS IMPORTANT
To leave this website immediately, click the “X” at the bottom right of the page.
If this is an emergency, please call 911.
Who We Help
I AM AN ATHLETE
Being an athlete requires confidence and empowerment. From recreational to elite sports, athletes have courage, grit, and persistence, with a unique drive that keeps them constantly pushing. Everyone has their “why,” and this “why” is their motivating factor through the ups and downs that fuels 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 maltreatment and abuse, among many other difficulties that arise within this complex environment. If you have experienced this, either currently or in the past, you are not alone. We want to empower athletes by granting access to confidential support and counseling, while building confidence and the opportunity to move forward in a positive way.
I AM A COACH
As a coach, you want the best for your athletes, and you push them to reach their ultimate potential. The great soccer coach Jose Mourinho once said, “Coaching takes a player where they can’t take themselves.” Knowing how to help keep them safe and supported may seem like a daunting task, whether you’ve been made aware of or suspect abuse, or simply have questions or concerns about difficult situations within your sports community. Figuring out how to assist them cannot always be done alone. Supporting your players and navigating what steps to take next to ensure the best for your athlete is what we are here for. Call, text, or chat to consult with us today.
I AM A PARENT
Being a parent can be hard enough at times. When a child has shared that they have been abused or maltreated, or when questions and concerns come up regarding challenging situations within their sports environment, it can be overwhelming and distressing. It may be difficult to know how to support a young athlete in finding the right resources, or knowing what steps to take to get your family the help they need. Contact us via call, text, or online chat and we will be happy to support, listen, and help you figure out how to keep your athlete safe.
I AM AN ALLY
Being a concerned bystander and potential ally is a powerful role. If you have witnessed or suspect abuse in the life of any athlete, or have questions and concerns regarding the physical and mental well-being of athletes in sports environments, you are in the unique position of being able intervene. Providing intervention as a witness has the power to save a life, but it also comes with many common questions. How do I keep myself and those involved 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 or resources on behalf of an athlete. Call, text, or chat to brainstorm the best way to use your powerful advocacy.
Whether you seek the courage to make a call for yourself, courage to help another, or courage to continue healing as a survivor, we are here to support your journey every step of the way.
Courage First Athlete Helpline is presented by the Foundation for Global Sports Development/Sidewinder Films and the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.