Against violence in sport: University of Kassel adopts position paper

"The Institute takes a clear stance against all forms of interpersonal violence, especially sexualized violence, discrimination and abuse of power," reads the preamble to the paper. With this clear stance, the cooperation partners are reacting to the fact that the university sports and science sector also harbors specific risk areas. These include close supervision, physical teaching formats, excursions and hierarchies in training operations. The new measures are based on the University of Kassel's internal guidelines and current findings from violence prevention.

Implementation in sports operations and teaching

In order to put these principles into practice in everyday university sport, UNISport has consistently integrated the Code of Honor, which has been binding since 2022, into all course offerings, trainer contracts and information materials. Regular training, clear reporting channels and feedback processes accompany the implementation. There is also a particular focus on teacher training: In future, the IfSS will specifically sensitize prospective sports teachers to the topic in order to establish pedagogical responsibility as an integral part of the professionalization of future teachers.

The next steps to implement the paper are already underway: In addition to publication on the institute website and a signature campaign as a visible commitment, trained contact persons for the IfSS and UNISport will be appointed. In addition, a comprehensive risk analysis forms the basis for a detailed, in-house protection concept that will be firmly integrated into teaching and university structures.

Support and contact points

Those affected and those seeking advice can contact the University of Kassel's advice and complaints offices, including the Women's and Equality Officer and the AGG Complaints Office. External contact points such as the Safe Sport e.V. association and the faX specialist advice center in Kassel are available for sports-specific and non-university support.

About the IfSS and university sport at the University of Kassel

Founded in 2001, the Institute for Sport and Sport Science (IfSS) is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kassel and is dedicated to teaching, research and knowledge transfer. In addition to the sports science departments, the Institute also includes the Transfer and Application Center for Sport (task) and university sport. As a center for sport, exercise and health, UNISport promotes a healthy, inclusive university culture with its offers for students, employees and guests, combining practice and science.

The position paper can be found here: https://www.uni-kassel.de/fb05/sport-und-sportwissenschaft/position-zum-thema-sexualisierte-gewalt.html

Contact for queries: safesport[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

What does this mean in summary?

• The Institute of Sport Science (IfSS) and UNISport have adopted a joint position paper against interpersonal and sexualized violence, discrimination and abuse of power.
• Concrete measures such as risk analyses, binding codes of honor for coaches and the firm integration of the topic into professional training for sports teachers ensure practical implementation on campus.
• Those affected receive quick and discreet support via university offices and through cooperation with external partners such as Safe Sport e.V. and the Kassel-based counseling center faX.