8/22/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Climbing.
Whether you’re routinely sport climbing 5.12 or still learning how to tie a figure 8 knot, you’re a climber because you know the excitement that comes from flashing a route. Whether it’s in the gym or outside, whether you are into bouldering, top-roping, sport, or trad climbing, you are always striving to gain the higher ground. You are here for the pumped arms, the calloused fingers, and the satisfaction of finally completing a project. So chalk up and get the beta on healthy sport. When we protect climbers, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Climbing Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Climbing has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Due to the nature of the sport, there is an increased risk of injury for climbing athletes, which can leave them vulnerable to abuse. Injured athletes may be especially vulnerable to abuse or exploitation when dependent on those in power to make treatment and return-to-sport decisions. Inadequate injury prevention and treatment protocols, including inadequate instruction, may be signs of neglect in the sporting environment.
- In climbing, there is often pressure to increase the extremity of skills, which may place athletes at risk of injury or even death, especially if they do not understand all of the risks. Minor athletes in particular may not be able to fully understand and consent to risk and danger.
- Climbers place a high level of trust in their climbing partners' skills and expertise to ensure their comfort and safety during sport and outdoor climbing, including their belaying and anchoring skills. Due to these relationship dynamics, athletes may feel unable to voice discomfort, which could cause safety concerns.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
8/11/2026
Summit County man, a former USA Climbing coach, pleads guilty to child pornography charge
4/30/2026
USA Climbing coach arrested in Summit County on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a minor
3/11/2026
Police to Probe the Sexual Harassment Allegations on Female Rock Climbing Athletes
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Climbing Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Environmental Safety, and Safeguarding within Climbing.
Filter by…
No resources under that filter for Climbing yet.
Climber Safety Resources
Environmental Safety
UIAA's database of safety resources for climbing.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
World Climbing Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Read WF's safeguarding policy and access the reporting form.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
View Crisis Resources
