KOOTENAY SWIM CLUB

Athlete Protection Policy

1. Purpose

This Policy sets minimum standards for safe interactions between Persons in Authority and athletes, with particular protection for Minors and other Vulnerable Participants.

2. Core Principle – Rule of Two

To the maximum extent feasible, a Minor athlete must not be alone one-on-one with an unrelated Person in Authority. Interactions should be observable and interruptible, and KSC should structure activities so that more than one responsible adult or another appropriate person is present.

3. Minimum Interaction Standards

• Private or one-on-one interactions that cannot be observed by another adult or athlete should be avoided whenever possible.
• A Person in Authority must not invite or host a Minor athlete in their home without the parent/guardian’s knowledge and permission and appropriate safeguards.
• One-on-one meetings should occur in an open, visible location or by an electronic method that allows appropriate parental/Club awareness.
• A Person in Authority must not share a hotel room or sleeping accommodation with an unrelated Minor athlete.
• Changing rooms, locker rooms and showers must be respected as private spaces. Adults should not enter a Minor athlete changing area except for a legitimate safety or supervisory reason and with appropriate safeguards.
• Physical contact must be appropriate to the situation, non-sexual, and responsive to the athlete’s comfort and consent. Coaching contact should be explained before it occurs when practical.
• Massage, treatment or similar services involving a Minor should occur in an observable environment and with parent/guardian knowledge where practicable.

4. Electronic Communications

• Electronic communication with Minor athletes must be professional and related to legitimate Club activities.
• Where practical, a parent/guardian, another coach or designated Club account should be copied on direct electronic communications with a Minor.
• Coaches and Persons in Authority must not use disappearing-message features, sexualized content, intimate messaging or secret communication with Minor athletes.
• Communication should occur at reasonable hours except for urgent travel or safety matters.

5. Transportation

• KSC will avoid situations in which a Person in Authority transports a single unrelated Minor athlete alone whenever reasonably possible.
• Where one-on-one transportation is unavoidable, parent/guardian permission should be obtained and the trip should be direct, transparent and documented where practical.
• Drivers must be appropriately licensed, insured, unimpaired and comply with seatbelt and vehicle safety laws.

6. Travel and Accommodation

• KSC’s Travel Policy applies to all Club travel.
• Minor athletes must be appropriately supervised by screened adults and must not share a room with coaches or unrelated adult chaperones.
• Rooming arrangements should respect age, privacy, gender-related needs and individual safety concerns.
• Coaches and chaperones should conduct room checks in pairs or in a manner consistent with the Rule of Two whenever possible.
• Curfews, check-in procedures and athlete whereabouts must be clearly communicated.

7. Photography, Video and Social Media

• Images of athletes must be taken and used in a respectful manner consistent with consent requirements and facility rules.
• Photography or recording is prohibited in changing rooms, showers and other areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.
• Images should not be sexualized, degrading or used to embarrass an athlete.

8. Screening and Training

Persons in Authority must complete the screening, criminal record check and safe sport training requirements applicable to their role under KSC, Swim BC and Swimming Canada requirements.

9. Reporting Concerns

Any suspected abuse, grooming, sexual misconduct, serious boundary violation or other safety concern must be reported promptly through the KSC Discipline and Complaints Policy and, where appropriate, directly to Swim BC or the relevant legal or child-protection authority. Nothing in this Policy limits a legal duty to report.

10. Retaliation Prohibited

No Participant may retaliate against a person for raising a safety concern, reporting suspected maltreatment or participating in a complaint or investigation.