Prevention and Integrity Policy

Vision

Playing volleyball at ABC Volleyball should be a pleasant, enjoyable, and safe experience for everyone. To achieve this, we have developed this Prevention and Integrity Policy Plan. With this plan, we are working towards a socially safe sport, where there is no room for inappropriate behavior. By inappropriate behavior, we mean:

  • any form of behavior or approach, verbal, non-verbal, digital, or physical, that is perceived as forced and/or unwanted by the person experiencing it;
  • behavior that is intended to violate the dignity of the person.

Risks

Using the 'Risk Factor Checklist,' a representative from the Board (chairman Peter Ouendag) and one of the confidential counselors (Maurice Joosten) have identified the potential risks related to safety within the club. In summary, these are the three central themes:

  1. The lack of a standard reporting procedure for incidents involving inappropriate behavior
  2. The lack of a well-defined complaints procedure
  3. The lack of familiarity with the confidential advisors within the association Note: several risk factors do not apply within our association because we do not have any underage members.

Measures

Clubs that comply with the 4 Rs for safety have a solid foundation for a safe sports environment. The 4 Rs for safety consist of the following components:

  • Club-wide code of conduct
  • Confidential contact person at the club
  • Certificate of good conduct for volunteers
  • Professional trainers/coaches

A solid foundation in the form of the 4 Rs helps prevent inappropriate behavior. And that's important, because together we can continue to build a safe sport and a pleasant sports environment for everyone.

Adopted Code of Conduct – shows what we stand for

Here you will find our proposed code of conduct here. We will submit this code of conduct to our members for approval during the General Members' Meeting on September 9, 2025.

Confidential Contact Person – a point of contact for everyone

We do everything we can to ensure that everyone feels (socially) safe and comfortable within our association. However, members may occasionally encounter forms of undesirable behavior, such as bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, and aggression. We believe it is important that in such situations, a member can turn to a confidential contact person (vcp) with their problems.

A confidential contact person always treats all information confidentially. The current confidential contact persons within our association are: Lois van Adrighem and Maurice Joosten.

They can be reached via: vcp@abc-volleybal.nl. They know how to handle your report and can, if necessary, contact support agencies and/or board members.

Both the Chair and the Treasurer are available to support the confidential advisors where necessary. Of course, you can always contact one of the board members.

The confidential advisors can also contact the Reporting Center of the Dutch Center for Safe Sports if necessary. The Dutch Center for Safe Sports can be reached by phone on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 0900 – 202 55 90 or by email at info@cvsn.nl.

Certificate of Good Conduct – Prevent Unnecessary Risk

It is important that everyone, and especially minors/vulnerable groups, can participate in sports in a safe environment. A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is a statement that proves someone has no criminal record or that a criminal record does not constitute an obstacle to performing a specific task or position. All our trainers have a valid VOG since the 2025-2026 season.

Professional trainers – with an eye for pedagogy and integrity

We ask our trainers to complete a selection of "a bit of parenting" training courses from the NOC/NSF. When hiring trainers, we draw up a training agreement, which includes the requirements for a trainer. During the training meeting, we discuss the code of conduct and pedagogical principles.

Actions

The board will take the following actions in the foreseeable future to mitigate any risks:

  • We will discuss the code of conduct and interaction at the next General Members' Meeting (GMM) – September 12, 2025 – and we will vote on these rules for approval. The same applies to the incident reporting procedure and the complaints procedure.

  • In addition to the aforementioned GMM, we will bring the incident reporting procedure and the complaints procedure to the attention of (prospective) members through the club newsletter and our website.

  • We are updating the registration form for new members with an extension/appendix containing the code of conduct, the reporting procedure, and the complaints procedure. This way, new members are immediately familiar with these. By signing the registration form, they accept the rules and confirm that they are aware of the procedures. Furthermore, prospective new members know that we pay attention to them and value a pleasant and safe environment.

  • We will post the rules and procedures (after approval) on a board in the sports hall, along with current announcements and the hall/dressing room layout.

NB: The guarantee of integrity and compliance with the code of conduct is currently regulated for trainers by a required Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and the inclusion of the code of conduct in the trainer agreement, which they must sign to be a trainer at our association. 

Reporting Protocol and Complaints Procedure

As an association, we expect all members to take action if they encounter inappropriate behavior and/or undesirable conduct (duty to report). This protocol protects the reporter, the victim, and the perpetrator of the inappropriate behavior and/or undesirable conduct. The protocol also imposes an obligation to act in the prescribed manner. A complaints procedure can be initiated following a report of inappropriate behavior and/or undesirable conduct. In addition to a duty to report, everyone is also subject to a provisional duty of confidentiality towards third parties.

Reporting and Complaints Protocol

See ABC Volleyball - Reporting and Complaints Protocol

Disclosure

This policy and code of conduct are available on our website. The board is also responsible for communicating it to all members. The board expects all active board and committee members, trainers, coaches, and other volunteers to actively promote this policy and code of conduct and act in accordance with it.

Evaluation

The confidential advisors submit an annual report to the board of our association. Based on this report, the board, in consultation with the confidential advisors, determines whether the policy and/or code of conduct need to be tightened, or whether other measures are necessary.