Power and Abuse: Building Safeguarding Protocols in Sports After High-Profile Allegations in Entertainment

When the stage cracks, so can trust: why sports must act now

High-profile allegations in entertainment in late 2025 forced a public reckoning about unchecked power, private access and long-standing culture gaps. For athletes, coaches and clubs the same structural risks exist: intense power imbalances, close travel and training environments, and dependency on gatekeepers. If you manage a club or federation, your core worry is simple and real — how do you prevent abuse and create a system where athlete safety comes first?

This article maps the most practical, evidence-informed safeguarding steps for sports organizations in 2026. It draws parallels with entertainment cases to explain root vulnerabilities and then gives a step-by-step blueprint you can implement this season: background checks, reporting mechanisms, education, independent investigation pathways and culture change initiatives.

The stakes and the parallels: what sports can learn from entertainment

Entertainment and sport share ecosystems where power concentrates around talent handlers, managers and senior staff. When allegations surfaced across entertainment in late 2025, investigators and the public saw common patterns that are equally relevant to sport:

• Close access and private spaces increase opportunity for exploitation during travel, private housing or after-hours sessions.
• Gatekeeper dependency creates coercive dynamics when one person controls contracts, selection or funding.
• Cultural silence and career worries discourage reporting; victims fear retribution or being labeled troublemakers.
• Lack of independent oversight delays accountability when organizations investigate themselves.

If entertainment's crises taught us anything, it is that transparency and robust systems need to be in place before allegations surface. Sports organizations have a unique opportunity in 2026 to update safeguarding to modern standards and protect athlete mental wellness.

Six safeguarding pillars for clubs and federations

Below are the core domains every organization should activate. Each pillar includes concrete steps you can deploy immediately.

1. Rigorous background checks and vetting

Background screening is more than a checkbox. It should be tailored, ongoing and proportionate to risk.

• Scope: Criminal record checks, civil litigation history, verified employment references, social media screening and cross-referencing with safeguarding registries where available.
• Frequency: Initial pre-hire check, annual re-checks, and immediate re-screening after credible allegations arise.
• Depth: For high-contact roles and positions with travel or private access to athletes, include deeper checks such as international reference verification and fingerprint-based checks if law permits.
• Documentation: Maintain auditable records with secure access controls and retention policies aligned with privacy laws.

2. Accessible, trusted reporting mechanisms

Good policies fail when reporting channels are hard to use or lack independence.

• Multiple channels: Offer in-person, phone, email and digital reporting tools. Include anonymous options and third-party hotlines.
• 24/7 availability: Abuse risks do not respect business hours. Contract with external providers to offer round-the-clock intake (see operational approaches in the operations playbook).
• Clear timelines: Publish expected timelines for initial response, triage and investigation milestones.
• Protect against retaliation: Codify interim protections for reporters, including role reassignment and no-contact orders.

3. Independent investigation and oversight

Internal investigations alone create conflicts. Independence builds trust and ensures procedural fairness.

• Independent ombud or safeguarding unit: Establish a unit outside regular management, with authority to commission investigations.
• External investigators: Contract investigators with relevant forensic and trauma-informed experience for any allegation involving abuse; treat investigative pipelines with the same security mindset discussed in red‑teaming supervised pipelines.
• Transparency: Publicly share governance arrangements and how investigators are selected to remove suspicion of cover-ups.

4. Education, bystander training and culture change

Training must go beyond compliance slides. It has to change behavior, language and expectations.

• Mandatory safeguarding training: Annual, role-specific modules covering power dynamics, grooming indicators and how to report.
• Bystander intervention: Practical workshops that teach teammates and staff how to intervene safely.
• Leadership modeling: Senior coaches and executives must complete advanced courses and publicly commit to standards of behavior.
• Regular culture audits: Run pulse surveys and external culture reviews every 12 months to catch warning signs early; consider using micro-incentives and robust recruitment methods as outlined in the recruiting participants playbook to improve response rates.

5. Athlete-centered support and trauma-informed response

Safeguarding intersects with recovery and mental wellness. Responses must prioritize the athlete's wellbeing.

• Immediate care protocols: Provide on-call medical and mental health support after reports. Have a referral network with trauma specialists and telehealth partners (see models like telehealth clinical partnerships).
• Confidential advocacy: Offer independent advocates to support athletes through reporting and investigation processes.
• Return-to-play plans: For those affected, create phased reintegration plans that include counseling and monitoring.

6. Policy development, enforcement and continuous improvement

Strong policy is living policy. It requires updates, enforcement and measurable goals.

• Clear code of conduct: Define prohibited behaviors, sanctions and decision-making processes.
• Sanctions framework: Standardize disciplinary responses so decisions are consistent and predictable.
• Audit schedule: Conduct internal and independent policy audits every 12 to 24 months.
• Public reporting: Publish anonymized safeguarding metrics annually to build trust with athletes and stakeholders.

Operationalizing safeguards: a practical checklist for the first 90 days

This timeline helps you move from intent to action quickly.

1. Days 1-14: Appoint a named safeguarding lead and publish a visible reporting contact. Communicate zero tolerance and immediate protections.
2. Days 15-30: Run baseline background checks on all staff and volunteers. Launch an anonymous third-party reporting hotline with privacy controls informed by best practices in privacy-first file handling.
3. Days 31-60: Contract an external investigator and trauma-informed clinician partnerships. Roll out mandatory education modules and begin technology pilots—note that any AI-assisted risk detection should be governed and hardened before deployment.
4. Days 61-90: Conduct a culture audit and publish a safeguarding policy addendum. Commit to a 12-month audit calendar and public reporting schedule.

Incident response playbook: step-by-step flow

When a report lands, speed, empathy and clarity matter. Use this compact flow as an operational guide.

• Intake: Record basic facts, ensure immediate safety and offer medical/mental health support.
• Triage: Determine risk level and whether immediate protective measures are required. Notify the independent safeguarding lead and consider evidence-preservation steps used in other high-risk incident playbooks like the site-search incident response guides.
• Investigate: If credible, initiate an independent investigation. Preserve evidence and maintain confidentiality; contract external specialists as needed and document selection processes publicly.
• Interim measures: Implement no-contact orders, temporary role changes or suspension where needed.
• Resolution: Apply sanctions per policy, communicate outcomes to relevant parties, and provide ongoing support to the affected person.
• Review: Conduct an after-action review to identify systemic fixes and training gaps.

Technology and 2026 trends: tools that help, and the risks to manage

By 2026, safeguarding has evolved to include new tech, but technology is a complement, not a substitute, for human judgment.

• AI-assisted risk detection: Some federations are piloting AI to flag high-risk interactions or anomalous behavior patterns. Use with caution and clear governance to avoid bias; follow technical hardening guidance such as how to harden AI agents.
• Secure reporting platforms: Mobile apps with encrypted, anonymous reporting and case-tracking have expanded access for athletes on tour. Adopt privacy-first data handling patterns described in the Beyond Filing playbook.
• Digital vetting: Cross-border background verification services streamline checks for teams that recruit internationally—consider edge identity and verification approaches like those in the edge identity playbook.
• Data privacy: Safeguarding data must be encrypted and handled under strict access controls to protect victims and investigators.

Tackling power dynamics: prevention strategies that change behavior

Policies are essential, but changing how power is used day-to-day is where prevention happens.

• Limit one-on-one unsupervised interactions: Where possible, require two adults or open spaces for coaching and meetings—design principles similar to those used for safe hybrid community spaces in the hybrid hangouts guidance.
• Transparent decision-making: Make selection, travel and contract decisions documented and reviewable to reduce gatekeeper discretion.
• Rotate roles: Avoid indefinite concentration of power by rotating leadership of travel squads or athlete liaisons.
• Empower athlete voices: Create athlete advisory councils with real influence on policy and selection matters.

Case study: how a community club rebuilt trust

Club scenario: A regional club faced an allegation involving a senior coach in mid-2025. Their response shows practical lessons.

1. They immediately engaged an external investigator and provided medical and counseling to the reporter.
2. They suspended the coach pending investigation and published a timeline for transparency.
3. After the investigation, the club reviewed hiring practices, introduced mandatory annual training and created an athlete advisory group.
4. Within 12 months, the club reported increased reporting rates, improved retention of junior athletes and better mental health outcomes due to proactive care pathways.

This example highlights that timely, transparent and athlete-centered responses restore trust and reduce long-term harm.

Policy language snippets you can adapt today

Use these short clauses as building blocks for your documents.

• Zero tolerance: The organization maintains a zero tolerance policy for abuse, harassment and exploitation. Any suspected breaches will be investigated by an independent body.
• Confidential reporting: Individuals may report concerns anonymously via [third-party hotline] without fear of retaliation.
• Interim safety: Upon credible report, the organization will implement interim protective measures to prioritize safety while respecting due process.

Measuring success: the metrics that matter

To know if safeguarding is effective, track both outputs and outcomes.

• Inputs: Number of staff screened, training completion rates, availability of reporting channels.
• Processes: Average time to triage and investigate, percent of cases handled by independent investigators.
• Outcomes: Number of substantiated cases, athlete satisfaction with support, changes in retention and wellbeing metrics.

Legal, union and cross-sector collaboration

Safeguarding is not just internal policy. Work with unions, legal advisors and cross-sector partners to strengthen compliance and support.

• Engage unions: Involve athlete unions early to ensure reporting mechanisms respect labor rights and protect careers.
• Legal alignment: Ensure policies comply with local laws on mandatory reporting, privacy and employment.
• Sector partnerships: Collaborate with entertainment, education and child protection agencies to share learning and resources.

'When power goes unchecked, harm follows. Prevention requires systems and compassionate response.'

Final checklist: immediate actions for clubs and federations

• Appoint an independent safeguarding lead and publish their contact.
• Run full background checks on all staff and volunteers now, then schedule annual rechecks.
• Contract a 24/7 third-party reporting hotline and secure reporting app.
• Mandate trauma-informed training for leadership and bystander workshops for teams.
• Create clear interim protection measures and communicate them publicly.
• Establish external investigation contracts and a public audit timeline.

Actionable takeaways

Safeguarding is prevention, not just reaction. In 2026, sports organizations must modernize checks, open accessible reporting channels and build independent oversight. Commit to athlete-centered support as part of every response and measure progress with transparent metrics.

Culture change requires leadership. The most sustainable reforms come when senior staff model behavior, athletes have real voice and organizations publish progress.

Call to action

If you lead a club or federation, start with a 90-day safeguarding sprint. Audit your digital vetting, launch independent reporting, and partner with trauma-informed clinicians. Download our 90-day checklist, or contact our safeguarding advisors to run an organizational audit and training program tailored to your sport. Protect athletes now — because safety is the foundation of performance and recovery.

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