The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) is launching its new programme, the Athletes Network for Safer Sport. The project is being launched thanks to a May-November 2022 study of athletes who have survived abuse in sport. The report was entitled "We must empower each other".

The consultation revealed that institutional reputations continue to override survivors' wellbeing. The SRA, with the support of an Advisory Board of affected athletes and allies, has analysed and explored the strategy to be adopted to address these issues. The process has always been led by those affected by violence in sport.

"People affected by abuse in sport are experts by experience, not by choice. They have the right to be part of the solution," said Joanna Maranhão, Network Coordinator. "There is no legitimacy in any safeguarding initiative without the effective and respectful involvement of people with lived experience."

The Athletes Network for Safer Sports is an international network of people with lived experience of abuse. It relies on them as the foundation of knowledge for healing and addressing this issue.

"I joined the Network because I saw first-hand the impact that abuse in sport can have on a person and their livelihood," said Kaiya McCullough, Advisory Council member and former soccer player from the USA. "And I wanted to be part of the solution."

The framework of the Network includes an Advisory Council. This body, made up of individuals with lived experience of abuse in sport, serves as the Network's main decision-making body.

"As a network, we have four goals: Healing, Voice, Accountability and Sustainability," said Jessica Shuran Yu, Advisory Council member and former figure skater from Singapore. "We believe these four goals work together to address the fact that abuse in sport is systemic and often intersects with race, gender, LGBTQ+ and other forms of discrimination."

The network will provide collective campaigns, advocacy training and support, support and resources, and an emergency fund for survivors in need of urgent assistance.

The network's first webinar, scheduled for 21 June, will focus on holistic and collective care. The webinar will address potential solutions to trauma exposure and burnout.

The SRA works to ensure that sports organisations, governments and other stakeholders create a sports world that protects, respects and meets international human rights, labour, child welfare and anti-corruption standards.