After transgressions in sports

In the world of (top) sports, transgressive behaviors like manipulation, blackmail, or humiliation can take place. Were you involved in (sexually) transgressive behavior, or psychological or physical abuse? Or do you know someone who was involved in this? Here you can read about how restorative mediation works and how it can help with recovery.

Mediation after transgressive behavior is possible for victims, offenders, and also for management of sports associations. Anyone can contact us: we’re happy to tell you more about how we mediate. Victims of transgressive behaviors in sports may feel the need to ask questions, or to let the other person know what the consequences were for them. Contact with the other person can help take a step in the process of recovery.

Transgressions in the past

It’s also possible to do mediation when the transgressions happened a long time ago. If this is the case, we will investigate whether we are able to contact the victim/offender for you. In case this is not possible, for example because the other person has died, it can also be possible for a representative to be present who can answer questions and give recognition. Restorative mediation can also be initiated during or after a sports disciplinary process.

Read the experience stories of people who applied for restorative mediation after a crime.

Is this right for me?

Restorative mediation can offer peace. If the participants know each other, they can also make agreements for the future, for example about how they will interact to avoid it from happening again.

Often times, victims have thoughts or questions such as:

‘Why was I chosen as a victim?’
‘I want to tell them how their behavior affected me.’
‘I want to get over my fears by meeting him.’

Through asking questions and receiving answers, restorative mediation can offer peace.

The contact can also help for offenders:

‘I feel really guilty about what happened, and I want them to know that.’
‘She now knows that she no longer needs to be afraid of me.’
‘I now understand better how my behavior affected the other.’

How does restorative mediation work?

After you apply, the mediator will have a conversation with you about your wants and wishes regarding the mediation process. Read more about how it works.

Moving on after a traumatic event. This is how we do it.

The way in which restorative mediation can help is different for everyone. In this video we explain in short what restorative mediation is. We also explain how it works and how it can help you.

Experiences of participants

Hannah about restorative mediation after sexual abuse (incest)
In her childhood, Hannah was sexually abused by her father. Recently, she talked to her mother and father with the help of a mediator. 'I got sincere recognition from my father. I could calmly explain to him how the abuse had affected me.'
Sonja: “I’m okay with him.”
Sonja got in contact with the man who raped her almost 20 years ago. “I feel more calm,” she says. “I can run into him in the street now.”
“As a child, I couldn’t stand up for myself, and now I can.”
For a time during high school, Sarah* (25) was tutored almost weekly. She realises now that the transgressive behaviour that the man, a family friend, showed towards her, was not okay. “I wanted to let him know how it had affected me, and how it still affects me.”