Protecting Fencers from Abuse and Supporting Victims of Abuse
Fencing club owners, coaches, parents and athletes across the United States are feeling the impact of increased awareness of abuse in the sport of fencing and the reporting of it. As we ask ourselves, “What more can I do to help keep my athletes safe?”, WFencing offers ten practical steps and actions that any coach or club owner who is concerned can take today:
Hire for Diversity. Working to make sure you have the best club reflecting the values you want your team to embody can be a challenge. You want your staff to reflect the community you are serving in as many ways as possible, when possible. Differences can include less obvious things like accents, place of origin, type of school attended. Start with just paying attention to your thoughts and feelings about hiring something different than you. A diverse environment is a significant way to empower different voices and perspectives that work toward an accountable and open environment.
Acknowledge Mista