report a complaint
An important part of creating a safe environment in volleyball is handling and reporting incidents when they occur. Volleyball BC is committed to providing a safe, effective, and supportive process for reporting maltreatment, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour.
Making a Complaint
Despite our best efforts, sometimes things happen. Volleyball BC has various policies that every participant agrees to uphold when they register. These policies govern Volleyball BC’s events, activities, and member clubs.
We have a Discipline and Complaints Policy that sets in place a process to address issues or behaviours that breach our policies. This flowchart shows the process and provides you with contact information for how to file your complaint depending on its nature.
Filing a complaint can be confusing. We have created these guides to help you understand the process:
- Understanding the Discipline and Complaints Policy – English
- Understanding the Discipline and Complaints Policy – Farsi
- Understanding the Discipline and Complaints Policy – French
- Understanding the Discipline and Complaints Policy – Mandarin
- Understanding the Discipline and Complaints Policy – Cantonese
Reporting Conduct & Safety Concerns
Volleyball BC has a partnership with ITP Sport, an Independent Third Party that will handle concerns related to conduct and safety within our sanctioned activities. ITP Sport provides a neutral and impartial service to ensure that all reports are managed professionally and fairly. This partnership enables:
- Clear and transparent processes for reporting and resolving concerns.
- A dedicated service to address Safe Sport concerns and Code of Conduct violations in our community.
ITP Sport operates independently to ensure impartiality and fairness in addressing complaints. Their responsibilities include:
- Complaint Intake: Receiving and managing complaints through their reporting platform.
- Investigation and Resolution: Conducting impartial investigations and working towards fair resolutions.
- Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality throughout the complaint process to protect all parties involved.
- Reporting: Providing periodic updates and final outcomes of complaints to Volleyball BC while maintaining the integrity of the process.
You can find more information and useful resources about this process below. If you have any questions about ITP Sport or its processes, contact Emma Gibbons at egibbons@volleyballbc.org
CONTACT ITP SPORT – CLICK HERE
Safezone
Volleyball BC is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone involved in volleyball across British Columbia. To support this commitment, Volleyball BC is pleased to introduce SafeZone, a resource designed to help participants, leagues, and district representatives navigate concerns, conflicts, and the complaint process.
SafeZone provides a confidential, welcoming space where individuals can ask questions, share experiences, and receive guidance on issues such as harassment, bullying, abuse, or other forms of maltreatment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, parent, official, or club representative, SafeZone offers personalized support to help you understand your options and take confident steps forward.
FOR PARTICIPANTS
SafeZone is here to help you understand your options before deciding to file a
complaint. We can assist you in navigating questions such as:
- What steps can I take to resolve a conflict before filing a formal complaint?
- What does the complaint process look like within my club or Volleyball BC?
- How do I know whether my issue should be addressed by the club or by Volleyball BC?
If you are unsure about what to do next, you can reach out to SafeZone to share your concerns, explore options, and gain clarity without fear of judgment.
FOR CLUB REPRESENTATIVES
Club administrators play a critical role in Volleyball BC’s safe sport system. SafeZone is available to provide support with:
- Understanding Volleyball BC’s jurisdiction and determining when an issue should be addressed locally versus when it needs to be escalated to Volleyball BC.
- Navigating complex issues within the discipline process, including items to consider before implementing decisions.
- Interpreting policies and processes to ensure they align with Volleyball BC’s expectations.
Our goal is to equip you with the confidence to manage situations effectively and escalate appropriately when necessary.
WHAT SAFEZONE OFFERS
A confidential and non-judgmental space to share concerns and ask
questions.Emotional support and an opportunity to talk through challenges you have
experienced or witnessed.Guidance on available options and support in understanding possible next steps.
Information on Volleyball BC’s complaint processes, jurisdiction, and additional resources.
Reaching out to SafeZone does not mean you are filing a formal complaint. All
conversations remain confidential unless you choose to take further action.
CONTACT SAFEZONE
If you are facing a challenging situation, have questions about the complaint process, or need support in addressing an issue, SafeZone is here to help.
To contact SafeZone, please reach out by email at safezone@itpsport.ca