Minister Behrens Pushes for Safe Sport Center - Germany Proposes Safe Sport Center to Combat Athlete Abuse
A new Safe Sport Center is being proposed to better protect athletes across Germany. Lower Saxony's Sports Minister Daniela Behrens has pushed for its creation, calling it essential for fair and respectful sports. The initiative follows earlier efforts to address abuse and provide support to those affected.
In 2022, the Conference of State Sports Ministers set up a Safe Sport contact point. By 2023, it had handled 236 requests, mostly for advice. Now, plans are moving forward for a full Safe Sport Center with broader powers, as outlined in the federal government's coalition agreement.
The centre will first focus on elite athletes, with youth competitive sports included later. However, Germany's 86,000 sports clubs will not be part of the initial rollout. The federal government expects the centre to improve prevention, counselling, and independent investigations into abuse. Founding members of Safe Sport include the Federal Ministry of the Interior, all 16 state governments, and the Athletes Germany association. So far, only Lower Saxony has secured cabinet approval to join the supporting association. No other Bundesländer have yet officially pledged support, and no concrete steps have been documented before the next Conference of State Sports Ministers.
The Safe Sport Center aims to create a safer environment for athletes, starting with elite competitors. Minister Behrens has stressed that it is not optional but a basic requirement for humane sports. The next steps depend on broader support from state governments and further planning.
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