The federal and state governments have taken the first big step towards more help for those affected by sexual, psychological and physical violence in sport.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser and Michael Ebling, as chairman of the conference of sports ministers, announced in Mainz that they would jointly set up a sponsoring association for a contact point for athletes seeking advice. The Athletes Germany Association is also a founding member, but not the German Olympic Sports Confederation.
“We have to bring all cases to light and help those affected,” said the SPD minister. “The first thing to start in early 2023 is the independent contact point Safe Sport, which will offer those affected psychological and legal support.” The Safe Sport center for safe and non-violent sport is to follow in the summer of next year. “But it is also clear that, despite all government measures, organized sport has a special responsibility and must also assume it.”
“We don’t look away anymore”
Among others, the former national soccer player and national coach Steffi Jones was appointed to the board of the sponsoring association. The facility will be based in Berlin.
For the Rhineland-Palatinate Sports Minister Ebling, the initiative of the federal and state governments, which will jointly contribute to the financing, is a paradigm shift. “It’s the right signal. We’re no longer looking the other way,” said the SPD politician, the host of the two-day conference of sports ministers, at which the effects of the energy crisis and possible financial aid from the federal states on organized sports should also be discussed.
