Sport bodies say NO to sexual misconduct in Singapore

Sport Bodies Say No to Sexual Misconduct in Singapore

Issued Jointly by 57 National Sport Associations of Singapore, Singapore National Olympic Council and Sport Singapore

Media Release
Immediate

Singapore, 2 April 2018 – 57 National Sport Associations (NSAs), the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) have pledged against sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour of any form in the sporting fraternity. They are fully committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the fraternity.

Representing the NSAs, Mr Milan Kwee, Ms Juliana Seow and Mr Abdul Halim Kader, jointly echoed their unwavering stance against sexual misconduct. “Harassment of any nature, especially sexual misconduct, in sport is never acceptable. As the national sport bodies in Singapore, we must unite and put in our best effort to stamp out such undesirable behaviours. We are committed to prevent and protect our people through education and appropriate action against delinquents. We promise to keep sport clean and safe for everyone. Sports is important to build character and resilience in all athletes. It is important that we endeavour to keep sport clean for our athletes to keep their passion alive.”

This is the first and crucial step in garnering the full support from the various sport bodies to be committed in providing a safe and trusted environment for staff, associates, athletes, coaches and officials in accordance with existing laws and codes of conduct.

“Sexual misconduct goes completely against the fundamental values of sport and the Olympic creed. We are in this together with the sporting fraternity to promote the values of sport and weed out the delinquents,” said Mr Chris Chan, Secretary-General, SNOC.

Sexual harassment is one of the most extreme manifestations of misconduct and discrimination, and has hit international and local headlines several times in recent months. The sporting fraternity in Singapore has wasted no time in coming together to undertake the commitment of zero tolerance against any forms of sexual misconduct.

Mr Lim Teck Yin, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Singapore, said, “In an environment based largely on trust, all stakeholders play a part in ensuring that this trust is not violated. Together with our NSAs and SNOC, we are sending a strong message that any form of sexual harassment should not be tolerated. In the months and years ahead, we will work with all the stakeholders to drive actions to uphold the integrity of sport and the fraternity.”

Some preliminary actions to prevent harassment and protect the people are through education, information sharing, establishing best practices, and providing support to NSAs, including but not limited to, creating and distributing tool kits designed to empower them to take prompt and effective actions.

In early April, representatives from SportSG will be attending a Safe Sport International Conference in Spain to learn and understand best practices, focusing on coach-athlete relationship. There will be a sharing on how to mitigate risks and neutralise the impact on sport, as well as to restore faith and confidence in the sport ecosystem.

Taking reference from best practices from the global sharing, SportSG will be leading focus group discussions in April and May with the various associations to better understand how any form of sexual harassment, physical or verbal can be eradicated and prevented in the local context.

List of National Sport Associations