Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has partnered with the creators of the documentary Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, to raise awareness of the importance of implementing safeguarding practices in sport.
Unbreakable tells the story of rising tennis star Jelena Dokic, who endured poverty and war before experiencing bullying and domestic violence, at the hands of her father and manager. The documentary highlights the profound loneliness and isolation she experienced during this time and demonstrates the need for vigilance and support of young athletes.
Shedding light on stories like Jelena’s is essential to creating real and impactful change for children in sport. SIA is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to ensure sport is safe and fair for all.
OFFICIAL TRAILER OF THE JELENA DOKIC STORY
Providing victims and survivors the opportunity to tell their story is important,
because nothing changes if we stay silent.
Why is Safeguarding so important?
Safeguarding in sport involves embedding every day practices that protect children, young people and adults from all forms of abuse and harm, while creating a culture where they feel safe and supported, and where their voice is heard.
Everyone is responsible for keeping kids safe in sport
You can help by:
- Getting educated on child safety.
- Knowing where to go for support.
- Being ready to listen and believe.
- Understanding how and where to report.
Sporting organisations can commit to safeguarding by having:
- Leaders who champion a safe sporting culture.
- A culture of listening to children and young people on matters that affect them.
- Effective safeguarding policies and practices.
- Child safe risk management strategies.
- Child safe recruitment that considers the skills required of people who work with children and young people.
- Ongoing training and supervision for people who work with children and young people.
- A culture of reporting incidents, one that prioritises the safety of children and young people.
- A process of continual improvement.
Whether you are a coach, administrator, participant, volunteer, parent, official or spectator – you have an important role to make sure everyone can take part in a fun, safe and positive environment.
Safeguarding resources
At SIA, we support sports with tools and resources that build their capability to provide a safe sporting environment.
How to report
If you have seen, heard or experienced abuse of a child in sport, you should follow the steps below.
*Non-NIF (National Integrity Framework) sports must contact their sports directly to make a report.
**To report any concerns relating to behaviour you have seen, heard or experienced in Tennis, you can contact the Tennis Australia Integrity & Compliance team via integrity@tennis.com.au. You can also access Tennis Australia’s confidential 24-hour telephone reporting and assistance service offered by STOPLINE by calling: 1800 11 SAFE (1800 117 233) or complete their online reporting form at TA Integrity.
Additional resources
What to do if someone has experienced abuse in sport
You can support someone who opens up to you about their experience with abuse.
Here’s how:
- Observe – take note of changes in behaviours in others.
- Listen – give your full attention and be patient.
- Reassure – let them know they are brave for speaking up and doing the right thing.
- Support – assure them it is not their fault.
- Believe – let them know you believe them and want to help them be safe.
- Explain – next steps, including accessing relevant support services and reporting.
Support and help
If you or someone you know is impacted by abuse, there are support services available:
Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Lifeline is a national service providing all Australians, experiencing a personal crisis, with access to 24-hour support and suicide prevention services.
The following organisations offer valuable information and resources on the rights of children and young people, and child safety: