Assembly committee hearing on child protection “timely” - NSPCC

Paul Stephenson from the children’s charity has provided evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s committee for Culture Arts and Leisure, following an invitation to answer questions around safeguarding issues in sport.  Describing the opportunity as “timely”, Paul said:

“Savile, and the many other enquiries the case has opened up, has raised the level of public debate on child protection to its highest level for decades.

“Today there are certainly much more robust child protection measures in place within sports governing bodies, and in many of their clubs, than had been the case when our Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) began working in Northern Ireland eleven years ago. Nonetheless, our submission to the committee identifies a host of new challenges and future areas of work, including internet safety, improved structures for safeguarding, the protection of elite athletes, and ensuring that those in positions of trust do not abuse their authority.

“Sport is an everyday activity for many children and makes a significant contribution to their well-being and personal development.  Second only to education, sport is the largest sector in terms of its regular contact with children. Whether involved in sport just for fun, or competing at a local, national or international level, all children and young people have a right to be protected from harm.

“Through working in partnership over the last number of years with SportNI and governing bodies, we have worked towards creating a culture of safety within sport. This has been a cultural change, in response to poor behaviour as well as abusive situations. However, continued commitment from governing bodies is essential if we are to continue to make progress, and to ensure that young people experience sport in a fun and safe environment.”

For guidance on child protection in sport, contact Paul Stephenson at the NSPCC on [email protected].