Hamilton Bulldogs to restart OHL ONSIDE sexual assault training program after pandemic pause

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ONSIDE program, which provides players with training to increase understanding and awareness about sexual harassment and assault, returns this fall after a hiatus the organization said was due to pandemic restrictions. 

The program has not run since 2019, following the cancelled 2020 season and 2021 restrictions on in-person training.

Announcement of the resumption of the ONSIDE program comes as some hockey organizations in Canada face scrutiny over the lack of transparency around sexual assault in the industry.

Kitchener Rangers were able to do the training in March, but the OHL says it has not pushed for it to be done in the past two years. 

Hamilton Bulldogs director of operations Peggy Chapman said the team didn't see the training as mandatory over the past two years because of COVID-19 restrictions, but also because many of the players had already done the training and the 2021 season was a championship run.

For the Bulldogs, the program is taught by the Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA).

SACHA's executive director, Jessica Bonilla-Damptey, said the yearly assault workshop should be attended by the entire team, coaching staff and executives.

"I think it's important for the whole team to be there, not just the new recruits who are coming in, but the team members that have been there for years," Bonilla-Damptey said.

Chapman said they usually participate in the ONSIDE training at the beginning of the season, in the fall. This September will be their first year fully back since COVID-19 began. 

This past May, Hockey Canada responded to allegations that a woman was sexually assaulted by eight unidentified work junior players at a gala event in London, Ont., in 2018.

In June, following the settlement in this case, it came to light that Hockey Canada had 21 sexual assault settlements since 1989, and almost $9 million worth of settlements had been paid to victims from a fund made up of hockey registration fees.

"Leadership knows these things have been happening, and that's a problem," Bonilla-Damptey said. "It's important for leadership to take these matters very seriously."

Hockey Canada released an Action Plan on July 25, two days before it was revealed that hockey registration funds were being used to pay sexual assault settlements. The Action Plan said that Hockey Canada will enhance their "masculinity, consent and toxic behaviours" training, with the goal of changing hockey culture. 

The Action Plan announcement said there will be a "comprehensive review of all existing training programs by an independent specialist" and enhanced character screening for players.