Football Manitoba is pleased to announce that it has partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) to make online reporting for harassment and abuse available to the football community across Manitoba.
REES is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week centralized online reporting and information platform that provides increased options for the football community, including players, parents, volunteers, coaching staff, to report bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination BAHD).
REES includes multiple reporting options and information about resources and supports available in the community while gathering critical data and insights that can be used by Football Manitoba to inform prevention and awareness strategies. A critical feature of REES is called Repeat Perpetrator Identification (RPI) which will help identify individuals early on that have caused harm.
“I am happy that Football Manitoba is able to team with REES to offer this valuable service to our members. One of our primary goals is to ensure the entire football experience is as safe as reasonably possible for participants, and this platform helps us to continue toward that in a way we hadn't previously considered,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of Football Manitoba.
According to a joint investigation between CBC News and Sport, at least 222 coaches who were involved in amateur sports in Canada have been convicted of sexual offenses in the past 20 years involving more than 600 victims under the age of 18.
“We are proud to support Football Manitoba and applaud their commitment to leading a shift in sport. This partnership will provide the football community clear, consistent reporting pathways and promote a culture of speaking up to help break the silence,” says Mary Lobson, Founder of REES. REES is available at all post-secondary institutions across Manitoba and Football Manitoba is the first sport organization in Canada to implement the platform.
Contact for Football Manitoba
Bill Johnson, Executive Director
Football Manitoba
executive.director@footballmanitoba.com
204-925-5770
Contact for REES
Mary Lobson, Founder & CEO
REES Technology Group Inc.
mary@reescommunity.com
