Minister Behrens Pushes for Safe Sport Center - Germany Launches Safe Sport Center to Combat Athlete Abuse
A new Safe Sport Center is set to launch in Germany to better protect athletes from abuse. Lower Saxony's Sports Minister Daniela Behrens has pushed for its creation, securing cabinet approval for the state's involvement. The initiative follows earlier efforts to address safety concerns in sports, including a 2022 contact point that handled 236 cases last year alone.
The idea for a dedicated Safe Sport Center gained momentum after the Conference of State Sports Ministers set up a contact point in 2022. That initial service received 236 requests for help in 2023, highlighting the need for a more robust system. Now, plans are moving forward for a full-fledged centre with broader powers, as outlined in the federal government's coalition agreement.
The new centre will focus first on elite athletes, with youth competitive sports to be included later. However, Germany's 86,000 sports clubs will not fall under its initial scope. Instead, the priority is on prevention, counselling, and independent investigations into abuse cases. Support for the project is growing. Lower Saxony has officially joined the supporting association, and founding members already include the Federal Ministry of the Interior, all 16 state governments, and the Athletes Germany association. The aim is to create a stronger, more unified approach to safeguarding athletes across the country.
The Safe Sport Center will begin by serving elite athletes before expanding to younger competitors. Its establishment follows years of rising demand for better protection, as seen in the 236 cases reported last year. With state and federal backing, the centre is expected to play a key role in preventing abuse and ensuring independent oversight in German sports.
