‘Position of trust’ – Role of Sports and Faith/Religion

Fake football coach jailed for 15 years for sex assaults on teenage boys in Lambeth

The following article’s highlight the importance of the extension in ‘position of trust’ legislation to include sporting and Faith/religious settings. The government amended the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to prevent adults from sexually abusing 16 and 17 years old, where the adult holds a position of trust over them, such as sports coaches and Faith/religious leaders.

Emmanuel Igwebuike abused his position of trust as a football coach to sexually abuse children and used a religious name for his football club. He exploited his access to these children to manipulate his relationships and trust with them. We welcome the criminal justice response in this case, from identification to prosecution and want to acknowledge the bravery of the victims for supporting the investigation and prosecution.

Emmanuel Igwebuike, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced on 9^th September 2022, at the Inner London Crown Court, to 15 years’ imprisonment after he sexually assaulted seven boys between 14 and 18 during the period June 2019 to April 2021. At the time of the attacks, Igwebuike was acting in a self-appointed role as a football coach in his own ‘Jesus Mary Football Academy’ based in the Stockwell and Putney areas.

Changes To Positions Of Trust Legislation- NSPCC Podcast

Click the link below and listen to NSPCC podcast regarding the new legislation around the position of trust.

“This podcast episode, we talk with our colleagues in the NSPCC about the new legislation passed in England and Wales on 28 June 2022, and soon in Northern Ireland, which makes it illegal for someone in a position of trust in sports and faith organisations to have a sexual relationship with someone aged 16-17 in their care”  

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/podcasts/ep-18-changes-to-positions-of-trust-legislation/

MOJ Review

The NWG have been involved in and contributed to the Ministry of Justice review which found particularly strong evidence for taking action to extend the position of trust offences to individuals teaching, training, coaching, instructing and supervising young people within faith/religion and sport…the law is extended to capture those who would abuse young people in such relationships. Alongside that important reform, (The Ministry of Justice) amended the existing provisions on Positions of Trust to provide a power to make it easier to widen the individuals and activities covered by these offences through secondary legislation, should the need arise in the future. Letter In the link below.

https://nwgnetwork.org/resource/moj-letter-2021/

We know sports and faith/religious leaders are particularly influential in a child’s life and are often well respected and trusted members of their communities. Children will often place their trust in these adults, sometimes resulting in those with a position of trust exerting power and control to abuse them.

We know faith worship places are where people may turn to their faith/religion in times of personal struggle, hardship, bereavement and when they feel most vulnerable. Faith/religious groups play a major role in the lives of adults, children, and young people where nurture, respect and caring are central values in all faiths. Faith/religious organisations and their leaders have significant reach within their community, to influence change and support those in need.

 It is important to remember that religion, faith and sport are, often, positive experiences for communities and can provide much needed and valuable diversionary activities for societies. These should be celebrated and promoted as they can provide positive influence in people’s lives. Unfortunately, there are some individuals in society who will use these settings and opportunities to abuse and exploit children and adults.

These issues above are discussed in more detail in the recently published IICSA report, and the enquiry supports the need to ensure better safeguards in sport and religious settings. The NWG will explore these issues further in an upcoming blog soon…’

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we want to raise awareness of how this legislation can be used to hold perpetrators to account.