[Abuse and non-accidental violence in the adolescent athlete : how to detect and assess ?]

Youth sports participation is often perceived as a positive contributor to physical and psychological development. However, we must acknowledge that sometimes the sports environment can be plagued by events of abuse and non-accidental violence of different types. A global and systemic approach will allow the limitation of these catastrophic events in young athletes' lives. Healthcare professionals must be able and knowledgeable to identify abuse correctly and in a timely fashion, to report it and to manage applying interdisciplinary principles. Their role is paramount in the education of all stakeholders, helping to raise awareness around abuse in adolescent athletes. Sporting organizations must apply existing recommendations from health and sporting authorities to guarantee the welfare of the adolescents they welcome in their world.