Practical Tips how to be an ally

STATEMENT OF INTENT

The ultimate goal of the Inclusive and Safe Sport Policy is to create a European ultimate community safe from any kinds of harassment and abuses. 

• Firstly,  pointing out at the same time both the responsibilities and the rights of each members. Everyone has to feel secure and protected and everyone must contribute!

• Secondly, building and making available different resources useful to deconstruct every steps of the pattern of abuses, discriminations and bias. The scope is to develop a community where everyone can openly express themselves, free from sexist, racist, homophobic and all the other types of discriminatory beliefs.   

MAKE A CHANGE!

Learn About Yourself

Learn to recognize and understand your own privilege  and bias that can assume various and invisible forms!

Acknowledge

• Acknowledge your privileges

• Acknowledge your bias

• Acknowledge the presence of abuses and microaggressions in your community → Be proactive in acknowledging this, even if there are no explicit records

• Acknowledge past failings in a genuine and meaningful way → Avoid denial and minimization 

Learn About Other People

Validate the experiences and feelings of people around you!

• Listen to everyone who has something to say: everyone's voice matters!

• Don’t interrupt!

• Don’t minimise what other people are saying or complaining about

• If the person directly involved is not laughing then it is not a joke: whether it is a joke or not, it is not your decision

• Do not use homophobic, sexist, racist insults 

• Don’t pretend to presume other people’ feelings!

• Avoid assuming someone’s gender, sexuality, race, or nationality! 

For instance: as a male player you should listen …

Learn About What You Can Do

Become an ally and empower people around you!

• Encourage people to speak up!

• Use your privilege to help in giving a voice to those who lack it

• Be aware of your implicit bias 

• Be open to listen

• Practice positive interruptions like “that’s an interesting point” or “I am glad you brought that up”

Challenge the offenders’ beliefs and attitudes early on and take a stand against every behaviour!

• Speak up if somebody is being discriminatory!

• Explain that it is not about having an opinion but it is about facing crucial social issues and making our community more inclusive and fair

• Invite people to reflect and get informed

• Encourage other people to take a stand!

• Challenge any offensive language

• If you witness any attack, do not sit back and do nothing