Ga naar de inhoud
Dutch Combat Sports Authority

Supervision

Confidential matters

Sexual abuse, discrimination, threats and assault must never be accepted. Confidential contact persons (vertrouwenscontactpersonen) help people who are confronted with such behaviour.

Introduction

Unfortunately, transgressive behaviour also occurs in the world of sport. This is unacceptable and we must combat it together.

The Handbook on tackling transgressive behaviour (Handboek aanpak grensoverschrijdend gedrag) is intended for athletes, parents, trainers, gym owners, officials and other parties involved. It explains how to prevent misconduct and how to deal with it. A summary is available here.

Confidential contact persons

You can report transgressive behaviour to a confidential contact person. If you cannot or do not wish to turn to a trainer or gym owner, contact one of the people named on this page. He or she will listen to your account and discuss the best possible approach with you.

A report of transgressive behaviour is always made in confidence. But confidentiality is not the same as secrecy. Confidentiality means that a report may never simply be shared with someone else. However, specific reports of serious sexual misconduct, such as sexual assault or rape, must be reported. In such cases the confidential contact person contacts the Centre for Safe Sport Netherlands (Centrum Veilige Sport Nederland).

NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation) has by now trained some 25 confidential contact persons for combat sports.


The first group of confidential contact persons for combat sports

First points of contact

Saskia van Rijswijk

Saskia van Rijswijk: saskia@vechtsportautoriteit.nl or 06-53270091

As a psychologist, hypnotherapist and in my work as a personnel consultant, adviser and mental coach, I regularly encounter situations that may involve transgressive behaviour, in whatever form.

In such cases it is important to arrange the right support, so that the person experiencing it can report it in a trusted environment. Ultimately, our aim is that this kind of behaviour no longer occurs. When you are in trouble, it can be difficult to know where to turn. As a confidential contact person I am trained and experienced in mapping out the situation. I have spent a considerable time in the combat sports world myself, as an athlete, an international judge and a member of a competition team, and I know the situations and challenges surrounding training and competitions. I have also danced professionally and acted in films, worlds in which the drive to perform sometimes leads to tense situations as well.

The relationship you have with your trainer and with other athletes or people in a team must be based on mutual trust and respect. As soon as that is no longer self-evident, an unhealthy situation arises. This also means there is a large grey area, which sometimes makes it difficult to determine whether something is acceptable or not. Did someone else cross your boundaries? Are you afraid that you yourself went too far in some respect? Did you feel unsafe? You can also come to me if you have questions about this. Call me and leave a message; I will call back as soon as possible and will first ask whether it is a convenient moment to discuss something confidentially. Sending a WhatsApp message is always fine too. Just mention that it is a question for the confidential contact person of the Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Combat Sports Authority).

Richard van Asdonck: asdonck@xs4all.nl or 06-55130656

‘I have been active in combat sports since the 1970s. I competed myself. I have also been a trainer for a very long time and have trained dozens of trainers. I know which situations can arise, for example between an athlete and a trainer, or between athletes themselves. I also know where the boundaries lie between normal and not normal.

Since 1980 I have been an instructor in Physical and Mental Resilience at the Ministry of Security and Justice (Veiligheid en Justitie). As a result, I deal a great deal with the subject of transgressive behaviour. When does someone go too far? When is it intimidation? When is there a healthy bond between people, for example between a trainer and an athlete, and when does an unhealthy relationship arise? These are difficult matters, especially when you are confronted with them in your own life.

As a confidential contact person I help people find answers to such questions. If you are dealing with abuse, intimidation or other forms of unacceptable behaviour, please do contact us. Also if you have doubts. Or if you see that someone else is in trouble and you want advice. We are glad to think it through with you. If necessary, we can help you find the right support.’

Tailored approach

When someone contacts one of the first points of contact, they consider together which of the 25 confidential contact persons is most suitable. The preferences of the person making the report are taken into account: a man or a woman, from their own region or not, and so on.

The actual report is then made to the confidential contact person chosen by the reporter. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the report and the needs of the reporter, the confidential contact person may refer them to:

Handbook on tackling transgressive behaviour

More information on tackling transgressive behaviour can be found in our Handbook on tackling transgressive behaviour (Handboek aanpak grensoverschrijdend gedrag). We encourage everyone to draw attention to the existence of the confidential contact persons and the handbook. Do you have comments, suggestions for improvement or questions? Email us at info@vechtsportautoriteit.nl