The Army of Survivors and Sport & Rights Alliance
The Army of Survivors and Sport & Rights Alliance
The Army of Survivors (TAOS) and Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA)
Partner
Global
Location
3 Years
Duration
Introduction
The Army of Survivors (TAOS) and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) work throughout the world to address the root causes of abuse in sports and create sustainable systemic change.
Joanna Maranhão, Network Coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance, speaking at the Council of Europe’s Conference on Promoting Safety, Integrity, Equality and Inclusion in Sport about the need for a proactive, survivor-centered and evidence-based solutions.
Community details
Many athletes experience some form of abuse in sports before they turn 18. In fact, nearly 13% of athletes experience sexual abuse, 37% physical abuse, and 61% emotional abuse in sports at least once as a child, according to a study from the World Players Association and UNI Global Union. The real number is likely higher as abuse often goes underreported, and factors such as gender, race, and sexual orientation can make someone more vulnerable and at greater risk of being abused. For those who report cases, the process often involves delays in investigation, lack of transparency, and retraumatization through the reporting process, creating even more barriers for people seeking help. These challenges are further compounded by a lack of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions, which can hinder understanding and support for underserved communities. The joint project by The Army of Survivors (TAOS) and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) focuses on women, girls, young adults, the LGBTQIA+ community, and athletes from historically under-resourced regions, marginalized racial and ethnic communities, refugee backgrounds, and grassroots, semi-professional, and other under-resourced contexts.
About the project
This program supports a global network of athletes, whistleblowers, and allies to address and respond to abuse, trauma, and systemic discrimination in sports. The project provides people impacted by discrimination and abuse access to emergency and continuous support for legal, physical and emotional support, as well as platforms to drive public awareness and policy change. Coaches undergo training to recognize and respond to trauma and create safe and equitable training environments. The program also works with human rights experts and sports’ governing bodies to ensure athletes' voices are centered and change is equitable and sustainable.
United by Sport
TAOS works around the globe to help create sports environments where everyone is safe and supported. The project tackles abuse and discrimination head-on, supporting people from all walks of life and corners of the world to change sports for the better. The SRA’s mission is to raise the bar for sport, human rights and transparency. As a global coalition of leading human rights organizations, the Alliance acts as a force multiplier, harnessing the collective strength of our partners to catalyze sport’s unique potential for social impact.
Requested grant amount
€700,000
media gallery
partner
