Ready to respond? Safeguarding structures in European National Olympic Committees

To assess safeguarding structures and organisational readiness to respond to interpersonal violence within 20 European National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and identify system gaps with implications for response and referral.

A cross-sectional online survey was completed by safeguarding personnel from 20 NOCs in the Safe Harbour project. The survey assessed safeguarding officer roles and capacity, policies, reporting mechanisms, case management, organisational needs and facilitators. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively, and open responses analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify recurring challenges.

All 20 NOCs returned surveys (100% response rate). Safeguarding officers were appointed in 19/20 NOCs, although most combined safeguarding with other duties. 11 NOCs (55%) had a safeguarding policy, with variation in content and implementation. 15 (75%) reported a (partly) implemented reporting mechanism, while 5 relied on ad hoc routes. Among NOCs with reporting systems (n=15), confidentiality (87%) and reporting on behalf of others (80%) were common, but guidance on escalation to authorities was rare (27%). Referral pathways were inconsistent (60% present). Reported barriers included limited staff capacity, legal uncertainty and variable leadership support. Facilitators included strengthening organisational infrastructure, clearer collaboration with external authorities, targeted training and access to practical tools such as classification and response frameworks.

Safeguarding systems across European NOCs are developing but remain uneven and incomplete. Gaps in capacity, policy maturity, reporting, referral and case triage may delay recognition of harm. Strengthening safeguarding as part of the athlete health system, with shared tools and sustainable resources, may improve readiness to respond.