Collective Voice Creates Change
Speaking up about abuse in sport is challenging; however, if you can move through that, it can take you to a place of strength. Moreover, when individual voices come together in advocacy, this is what will truly shape change and make the future of the sport brighter.
Supporting & Uniting Survivors
We support survivors to obtain redress, heal and use their lived experience to drive national and international reform. Our data-driven advocacy, backed by lived experience, provides the missing knowledge needed to make the sport abuse free.
Advocacy plays a vital role in our work. The problem is not limited to the abuse experienced by gymnasts, but also the failure of the systems that were meant to provide transparency and accountability afterwards.
We work directly with our members to empower them to advocate for themselves, whether that’s navigating complicated complaints processes, speaking out in the media or exploring civil or strategic litigation. We help our members structure and present their experiences clearly and robustly, ensuring their voices are heard.
We engage directly with national and international stakeholders, including NGBs, funders and strategic partners such as MPs and human rights lawyers, ensuring our members’ experiences inform decision-making at every level.
Putting the Child at the Centre
Ethical, athlete-centred coaching is not a reward for high performance. It is the minimum standard every child in gymnastics deserves - from their first cartwheel to the competition podium. Together with survivors, athletes, advocates and allies, we are building a new future for the children at the heart of gymnastics - one rooted in human rights, dignity and joy. In practice, this means:
Athletes of All Ages, Backgrounds & Levels are Protected
Survivors Are Supported, United & Empowered
Human Rights Frame Works Are Adopted Across Sport Internationally
Federations, Clubs and Coaches Taking Accountability for the Past
Ethical, Athlete-Centred Coaching is Normalised
Federations, Clubs and Coaches Owning Responsibility for the Future
As a membership organisation, we help survivors and affected persons to obtain redress, heal and use our collective lived experience to advocate for national and international governing bodies to change their policies, acknowledge abuse within gymnastics and confront how harmful it is.
We consult with:
Survivors & current athletes
Parents & families
Ethical coaches
Human rights experts
Media & investigative journalists
Sporting bodies & policy makers
Funders and philanthropic partners
General public
Who We Engage With
Re-envisaging the Complaints System
Our advocacy also focuses on improving the systems themselves.
We have raised concerns about the Independent Complaints Process, including:
Lack of transparency and clarity
Imbalances in appeal rights
Long delays and poor communication
Processes that can feel retraumatising, particularly for child witnesses
We continue to push for a trauma-informed, fair and transparent system - one where gymnasts truly have a voice.
We do this through many different approaches in order that our ambitious agenda is heard. This includes in ways that might surprise you, such as our groundbreaking Arts and Archive programme.
Advocacy in Action
“Gymnasts for Change has helped me and many others massively over the past couple of years - in creating a community for gymnasts where we feel seen, but also with understanding complicated complaints processes like the ICP. It really helps having someone in your corner that can help you navigate its complexities and challenges in the best way possible.”
— Char, Gymnast & Advocate, G4CI“The Whyte Review was a pivotal moment for driving on-the-ground changes, improving parental understanding so they can advocate for their children and children can advocate for themselves. There's still a long way to go, but it's important to recognise what we have achieved as a group of campaigners - initially sparked by the #Gymnasts Alliance Movement, today through G4CI.”
— Nicole Pavier Carr, Lead Advocate, G4CI“In the UK, while there is still a great deal of reform needed - we are now leading the way in terms of bringing human rights into sporting frameworks. That work is not only essential to uplifting the quality of life for athletes in the UK, but in ensuring that athlete-led advocacy results in the implementation of greater human rights across sport – and across the world.”
— Claire Heafford, CEO & Co-Founder, G4CI