The South African Deaf Sports Federation (SADSF) firmly stands against all forms of harassment and abuse in the sporting community. Such harmful behaviors – whether psychological, physical, sexual, or neglect – have no place in sports and can deeply impact the well-being of athletes, coaches, officials, and all involved in sporting activities.
For deaf athletes in South Africa, these risks can be compounded by communication barriers and vulnerability, making it essential that we create protective environments where all participants can thrive without fear of mistreatment, discrimination, or exploitation.
Every person involved in deaf sports has the right to participate in an environment free from non-accidental harm, regardless of their race, gender, disability, or any other characteristic. The SADSF is committed to implementing robust safeguarding procedures, including proper reporting mechanisms, disciplinary actions, and prevention strategies.
To better understand how you can contribute to creating safer sporting environments and learn about the comprehensive protections in place, we urge everyone in the deaf sports community to read the SADSF Safeguarding Policy document, which provides detailed guidelines on recognising, reporting, and preventing harassment and abuse.
Read Our Safeguarding Policy Here