Research publications

In June 2022, the Minister of Public Safety announced that all members of Parliament are to receive mobile duress devices, or “panic buttons.” This was in response to threats and safety concerns that are on the rise for parliamentarians. This HillNote discusses the scope of violence against politicians in Canada and worldwide with a focus on online violence and abuse; the unequal impact of violence on some groups of politicians; and some recent federal and parliamentary initiatives to address violence against politicians.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration states that athletes have a right to the protection of their mental and physical health, including protection from harassment, and a responsibility to report harassment and abuse. Such acts are therefore a violation of athletes’ rights. This HillNote examines the issue of harassment and abuse of athletes in sport with a focus on the prevalence of maltreatment of Canadian national team athletes and some of the measures the federal government has taken to address it.