Kev Murphy has been appointed as the Response Unit Safeguarding in Sport Lead. This new post has been funded by Sport England to help raise awareness of CSE at grass root sport levels and also importantly within the Leisure Industry where many sporting activities take place.

National media outlets have reported widely on the abuse perpetrated by football coach Barry Bennell on children he coached, several did go on to play football at the highest level and the impact on them has been all too visible in the public eye as many have chosen to speak to the media and at public events about there ordeal and the difficulties that they have faced during their adult lives, this story has recently been repeated in America as 141 victims of the now jailed US Gymnastic doctor Larry Nassar have been given courage awards for their bravery in speaking out and helping to convict Nassar, it was noticeable in the audience the amount of support available for the victims to help them cope with their anxieties at the event, psychologists, therapists, crisis counsellors with therapy dogs, the options of support available was very impressive and necessary, however, for most victims of abuse this level of support is not available.  Whilst the media attention is focussed at the professionals little is said about what happens at the grass roots level of sport, remember this is where we all began playing sport including all of the famous footballers, cricketers, rugby players et al.

The new “Working Together to Safeguard Children” statutory guidance that was published last week has for the first time included sports clubs and organisations. All National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) of Sport that are funded by Sport England or UK Sport must aim to meet the Standards for Safeguarding and Protection Children in Sport;

However for many local grass roots sports clubs this does not apply as a majority are led by a volunteer army of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who may not be linked to any of the NGB’s. How are they going to understand their responsibilities described within the statutory guidance? The Safeguarding in Sport post has been developed to assist these clubs and leisure providers to understand their responsibilities as well as enlightening them about CSE and how they can prevent abuse occurring in the first instance. Please do pass this article onto any of your colleagues who may be involved in running a sports club or operates a leisure centre.

For advice, support and assistance regarding the new statutory guidance please do call Kev on 01332 585371, 07399 449045 or e-mail   [email protected]