supporting gymnasts to use their voice

who we are

We are a UK based survivor led global network of current and former gymnasts, as well as parents, coaches, fans and more who have come together to campaign for change, following the public revelations of widespread abuse and unsafe practices within gymnastics. We take a human rights based approach to all our activities. Our vision is to create ethical, athlete-centred gymnastics, built on trust, fairness & respect. We have sister networks in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the USA.

  • We encourage athletes to use their voice to campaign for change in the sport of gymnastics

  • We provide support & healing resources to survivors of athlete abuse

  • We use litigation as a way to raise public awareness of athlete abuse with the aim of bringing about changes in the law and governance of sport both in the UK & around the world

campaign goals

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recognition of wrongs and A formal apology

We want British Gymnastics and the other national governing bodies around the world to recognise the wrongs that have been done to many gymnasts whilst doing the sport they love. We believe British Gymnastics should issue a formal apology and a commitment to root and branch reform. Where reviews have already been completed and liability accepted - but wholesale reform is yet to be implemented - we stand with the gymnastics in those territories in holding their NGBs to account through on-going legal processes.

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A sports ombudsman and norwegian-style ‘traffic light system’

We are campaigning for an independent sports ombudsman in the UK and a Norwegian-style traffic light system. A truly independent reporting system will make it easier for British gymnasts and UK athletes to seek redress and help ensure that our sporting institutions properly protect the athletes they serve. In countries where a Sports Ombudsman already exists, we are committed to learning from athlete experiences of existing structures and reporting processes, and will campaign for greater oversight and accountability for athletes where these process fail to bring the justice the athletes deserve.

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IMPROVED ethical, athlete-centred COACHING GUIDELINES

We want to usher in a new era for Gymnastics, both in the UK and around the world. We will push for improved governance, new coaching guidelines and detailed research into the benefits of an athlete-centred ethical approach to coaching gymnastics.

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improved monitoring and follow up

To ensure safeguarding practices are properly upheld in gymnastics, we need a stringent system of monitoring and follow up - much like the one the World Anti-Doping Agency operates, but in this case to ensure coaches and clubs are operating appropriately. In the UK we also feel this would be best achieved by relieving Ofsted and the ISI of their safeguarding role in educational settings, replacing them with a new inspectorate that includes schools and all regulated activities including sports clubs, where adults other than parents are responsible for the care of children.

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a formal and BINDING review of gymnastics

The independent review announced by British Gymnastics is welcome, but it does not go far enough. To make sure that a culture of abuse can never take root in our sport again, we are calling for a formal and binding review (e.g, a Parliamentary or Judicial Review). Gymnastics needs proper scrutiny.

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compensation for wronged gymnasts

Injuries are a normal part of sport - but avoidable physical and emotional injuries are not, and never should be. Where athletes have been wronged, it is only right that they are fairly compensated so they can access the therapy and medical treatment needed to heal or manage long-term injuries.

OUR PRINCIPLES

We want to end abusive coaching practices in gymnastics, support those who have experienced abuse and create sweeping reform for better athlete welfare within the sport.

Our mission is led by seven guiding principles.

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REPRESENTATION

By collaborating with gymnasts from around the globe we seek to amplify the voices of those who have experienced abuse, and embed their message of ‘do no harm’ into a new ethical vision for the sport. We want to be a part of ushering in a new era of gymnastics which prioritises safety, as well as access and diversity.

iNNOVATION

We will work alongside professional researchers as well as coaches and experts who have the creativity to let new ideas in, with the aim of identifying best practices in terms of athlete welfare. We want to create a hub where gymnasts and their supporters can share and develop ideas about building a positive future for our sport.

Accountability

For the current and future safety of the sport it is essential that both British Gymnastics (BG) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) recognise the seriousness of the allegations that have been made, take accountability for their failure to protect athletes and ensure perpetrators do not live with impunity so that no further gymnasts are harmed by our wonderful sport.

HEALING

Our campaign seeks to provide a safe space where athletes can speak about their trauma and gain support to begin their healing journey. We are working alongside a team of psychotherapists and psychologists who have first-hand experience of abuse in gymnastics, to provide the therapeutic resources that have been missing to date.