Safeguarding & Welfare

  Note: In this module, we have included videos in which we talk with Cheryl Higgins, mum to Ben, the GB 400m runner mentioned in our safeguarding experience. Introduction As parents, we need our children to be: Happy Healthy Safe Over the last few years, the terms ‘safeguarding’ and 'welfare' have increasingly appeared in many areas of sport. Many of us will have heard of cases in the media, but unfortunately, these scenarios are not limited to high-profile cases and are happening at the grassroots level across the country. Shockingly, this mistreatment can happen right in front of our own eyes without us even realising it because so few of us actually know where the line is between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours of those in positions of responsibility and trust. This has to change.   We at The Athlete Parent Place feel that this is a critical issue to discuss on our platform… partly because we have had our own personal experience of it and were blind to the warning signs until it was too late. We want to help others avoid this pain and heartache. We have no intention of going into explicit detail about our and others’ associated experiences. No athlete was physically hurt or subjected to the physical side of sexual abuse… but what we will say is that the psychological fallout was, and still is, significant. The Importance of Trust When we take our kids to a sports club for the first time, we do so with complete trust in the setup and belief that our child’s health, wellbeing, and safety will be of paramount consideration to those to whom we have entrusted them. It is essential that we fully trust all environments where children participate in organised sports activities.  Importantly, athletes also need to feel that the adults in positions of responsibility within the sporting environment are on their side, want what’s best for them, and will never cause them harm. If this trust is broken, especially early on in life, it can profoundly impact a person’s ability to ‘feel safe’ with others going forward, impacting friendships and relationships and potentially causing mental health issues further down the line. No athlete should experience this. Sadly, most safeguarding and welfare issues within sports stem from the inappropriate behaviour of coaches. However, it’s important to say here that the majority of coaches are genuine, trustworthy, lovely people who are 100% dedicated to helping young athletes achieve their goals safely and enjoyably. We are truly indebted to all of them for all that they do. Without them, youth and junior sports would not exist. It’s the small minority that safeguarding and welfare issues apply to…   Where the line becomes blurred … A coach’s job is to organise and supervise training sessions and to act in a way that builds athletes’ confidence and skill sets. Saying the right things and using appropriate body language is an integral part of the role. Kids should come away feeling happy, fired up, confident, and optimistic about their experience and sporting prospects. Unsurprisingly, coaches become trusted, respected adults and sometimes even friends, whose words are often viewed ‘as gospel’ in the eyes of both athletes AND parents. We tend not to question what they say and do. We shouldn’t need to. They are the experts. … and crossed When you’re convinced that the coach has your athlete’s best interest at heart and is bringing out the best in them, especially from a performance point of view, ‘red flags’ can be easily overlooked, and the benefit of the doubt given if concerns do appear… this is a very easy trap to fall into. Looking back at our own experience, the 'red flags' had been waving for a long time, but we downplayed them because we trusted him. I, as a mum, also felt guilty about raising my concerns because this man was devoting considerable time and effort (for free) to my son's sport. Questioning his behaviour would have been awkward, to say the least, and could have come across as ungrateful. I had a genuine fear that this might impact the coach-athlete relationship. It felt like a no-win situation for me. It’s all very well saying that as a parent, you shouldn’t feel guilty for missing warning signs… you should have been able to trust the coach after all, but believe me, you do feel guilty. It’s a horrible feeling.     Risk Factors Affecting Higher-Performers Specific issues can begin to occur when a young athlete shows sporting potential. Coaches can become more intense, with the athlete receiving more of their attention. One-to-one situations can start to arise. When athletes start performing at higher levels, competitions will often require more extensive travelling, and some require overnight stays. This can present real issues if parents are unable to accompany their athletes. Even at an elite level, training camps, which are often overseas, present their own set of safeguarding and welfare complications. Just because they’re in their late teens/twenties, they’re still your child and are still vulnerable… Protocol for Reporting We strongly believe that anyone experiencing, observing, hearing of, or suspecting behaviours should always feel able to report concerns. The ability to report issues anonymously and obtain anonymous advice would greatly help. This has already been provided in the area of anti-doping. Here at The Athlete Place, we will be pushing for these changes.  Take Home Points As parents, our three main goals are to ensure our children are happy, healthy and safe. Many parents (and athletes) are unaware of where the line is between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Always raise concerns about any behaviours of others that cause your athlete unhappiness and/or anxiety. When the safeguarding line is crossed, the loss of trust can be very hard to get over. Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context. The vast majority of coaches and support staff are genuine, lovely people who often give their time and expertise free of charge… and only want the very best for young athletes. Without them, there would be no sport, and we are truly indebted to them :) If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...

Joe & Caroline Fuggle, Founders of The Athlete Parent Place   We, the founders of The Athlete Parent Place and The Athlete Place, share our own experiences of safeguarding issues to support other athletes who may be facing similar issues. We also aim to raise awareness and educate those who have never faced these challenges. Here, Caroline, Joe's mum (both pictured above), gives her account of their real-life safeguarding and welfare experience and describes the implications and impacts that followed. Although revisiting personal experiences can be uncomfortable, nothing changes by not talking publicly about them. We hope this can help other athletes and parents who may be in a similar situation and educate those who haven’t yet encountered this sad side of sport. Setting the scene Wind the clock back to a sunny day in October 2016. I’d taken Joe to a university open day, a year earlier than is normal, in an attempt to create some sort of urgency to knuckle down with A-levels! Walking around the HIPAC (high-performance athletics centre) and gym, he was inspired by the amazing facilities on offer. Ranked No.1 in the UK at that time (for U17 400m hurdles), the university was keen to have him. Like most of the top applicants to Loughborough University, Joe was essentially headhunted to join one of the leading groups. But as we were leaving, he got chatting with one of the athletes acting as a tour guide, and his contact details were passed on to the coach of an elite training group that would be perfect for his needs. The visit had the desired effect; this was where he wanted to go, and the hard work needed would be worth it. Job done!! How it started During the drive home, the coach messaged him to say Joe would be more than welcome to join the group. Things were really starting to look up. Receiving occasional messages from him seemed almost an honour… his group included GB Athletes, for heaven’s sake. But what I didn’t realise until much, much later, was that these messages were not occasional, but almost daily conversations, and were not just about training topics but “How's school?”, what have you been up to today, etc. Remember, at this time, Joe was still only 16, a schoolboy. Grooming? Looking back and knowing what we know now, we believe this was grooming. As a mum, I now feel foolish and naïve not to have questioned this. But you don’t. You just don’t. You trust that the coach has your kid’s best interest at heart. Why wouldn’t you? Not to mention the fact that Joe was over the moon to feel wanted by a top coach. A few months before he was due to start university, the coach set a schedule of training to get started at home, and he even came to our house to meet me and go over some of the exercises with Joe. Looking back, this could easily have been all part of the trust-building plan. I guess we will never know. September arrived, and it was time to leave home for this new life; he was excited to finally start university and see where this elite training set-up could take him. The training itself was a significant step up from what he was used to, but the coach seemed super supportive. But, looking back, it now feels like control was being exerted over every aspect of life, both on and off the track, under the guise of ‘if you want the results, it’s my way or no way’ … but in all honesty, this control now seems to have a deeper meaning. Joe competing for Loughborough University at the British University Championships in 2018, where he finished 2nd in the 400m Hurdles. Controlling Behaviour? During a day-time ‘garden party’ that Joe and his friends attended after training, a photo appeared on Instagram of him holding a bottle of fruit cider (to put this in context: he had one cider and was then home and in bed by 10… not exactly an alcoholic rave!). One cider would, I’d say, be well below the expected standard for any first-year student, even those who were athletes. A few weeks later, at a 1:1 post-season feedback session, the coach told him something along the lines of “I stopped coaching you when I saw that photo. You weren’t worth my time.” … Being made to feel guilty by his coach for going out and having fun with his mates was indeed overstepping the mark and not right on any level. Yes, late nights and alcohol consumption aren’t ideal for any high-performance athlete, but this, we were sure, wasn’t about that … it was about a coach losing the ability to control an athlete. What we hadn’t known was that this coach had a history of creating and then prioritising ‘favourites’, and Joe had been his new project. The innocuous cider incident, we think, was potentially a realisation that Joe wasn’t going to be the easy-to-manipulate pushover that he’d hoped for. Rejection It didn’t take long before a new ‘favourite’ appeared… yet another school-aged boy hoping to attend the university. This athlete lived relatively locally and was soon invited to join the group as a 17-year-old - still at school. At this point, and in our eyes, the coach immediately lost interest in Joe and many others as athletes, projecting his total attention towards the new athlete, Ben. This rejection, along with a number of other scenarios, understandably caused difficulties that were showcased both on and off the track, eventually becoming too much, with Joe quitting the sport. A sad end to a career that had such great prospects. Joe (middle) at the Schools International Athletics competition, 2015 Grooming… round two? Meanwhile, manipulation of the new ‘favourite’ (and his family) began. Becoming liked by the family turned out to be an integral part of the deception; being trusted by the parents meant that no one would ever suspect anything untoward. It all felt so familiar to me, now an observer. Invitations to family BBQs and birthday parties became the norm; performances were improving. Life was great for Ben and his family, at least. There still was nothing that leapt out as obviously wrong/inappropriate until one weekend in June 2021… Then it became obvious… On the Sunday morning of the British Championships weekend that doubled that year as the final opportunity for Tokyo Olympics team selection, I woke to find multiple missed calls and messages saying, “Mum, where are you? Mum? Mum? Pick up my calls”. I assumed it was to tell me about a results revelation, as Joe’s old training group contained no less than four Olympic hopefuls. Nothing could have prepared me for the manic call that followed. He was crying hysterically and could barely speak, and it took a while before I could work out what he was telling me. In short, he’d just found out that Ben had caught the coach filming him having a shower in the hotel room they were sharing during a two-day competition the weekend before. Imagine seeing a phone camera being held up against the glass panel above the bathroom door, knowing who was doing it and the shocking realisation of why. After confronting the coach, who immediately admitted guilt and fled, Ben, aged just 20, was left to pick up the pieces, call the police, and wait for his mum to race to Bedford to retrieve her traumatised son. Both then tried to process the fact that the man they had trusted implicitly and had welcomed into their home had betrayed them in one of the most nauseating ways possible. The next day, Ben won a bronze medal at the England Athletics U23 Championships… a perfect example of his mental strength. Joe, weeks before he decided to leave athletics in December 2019 The wider damage Ben had kept the news from the training group, who were already having to deal with being left coach-less and with no explanation as to why, the week before the most crucial competition of their careers. Their compassionate assumption was that maybe a close family member had died, and he’d had to leave urgently. On hearing the actual reason, all hell was let loose within the group. Emotions were extreme, and there was no desire to hide the intense pent-up anger that most of them felt. Some managed to successfully use that anger on the track, whilst others took it out on anything that could legally be punched. What was playing out was so sad to see. They’d all been betrayed. Just one of the four hopefuls made it to the Olympics that summer… For Ben, Joe, and the entire training group, the coach's lifetime coaching ban and being put on the sex offenders register will never make up for the trust issues, feelings of betrayal, and missed opportunities. Were chances for Olympic selection missed as a result? We will never know… Feelings of Guilt As parents, Cheryl (Ben’s mum) and I felt betrayed. We had put our trust in that coach to do what was best for our sons. But looking back, we both agree there were many ‘red flags’ that neither of us felt able to question at the time: On one warm-weather training camp in Tenerife, the coach shared a room with Ben and another male athlete to ‘keep his costs down’. But how could we raise concerns about that when, as an unpaid volunteer coach, he was having to fund his own trip to coach our kids? The offers for Ben (whilst still school-age) to stay overnight at his house after training group social evenings or to reduce the distance to drive on weekends. The frequency that body composition measurements were performed on the training group members in their rooms, with doors shut… And perhaps the worst of all, the requests for topless photos of the athletes as ‘updates’ to check in on their nutrition and recovery… Joe, after retirement,  pacemaking for Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Olympic silver medalist and 3x World Champion All of the above scenarios are now viewed with very deep mistrust and suspicion, and I, personally, will always feel guilty for not being brave enough to question and speak out about them.  Feeling indebted to a coach or being worried your athlete will lose their place in a training group are not reasons to keep quiet about concerns…. We learnt that the hard way.  We hope that by telling our story, other parents will become more vigilant and be more prepared to speak out or, at the very least, question behaviours they feel are perhaps inappropriate Safeguarding issues within sports must stop… talking about them to raise awareness is the first step.   If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...  

  Note: In this module, we have included videos in which we talk with Cheryl Higgins, mum to Ben, the GB 400m runner mentioned in our safeguarding experience. Sport can become unenjoyable for athletes for many reasons, but if any of these are down to the behaviour of people in positions of responsibility within the sporting environment, a safeguarding/welfare issue may be present. It is important to note that safeguarding issues don’t always present as obvious abuse.  Below are some examples of different types of abuse as defined by World Athletics. These will be the same across all sports: Psychological abuse Behaviours include belittling, rejection, vilification, confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilisation. or any other behaviour that may diminish an individual’s sense of identity. Physical abuse Any intentional or unwanted act, for example, kicking, beating, biting or burning, which causes injury or physical harm. It can include the forced consumption of alcohol or systematic doping practices. It can also be any forced or inappropriate physical activity, such as training, which is unsuitable for the age or physique of the athlete. Parents should become concerned if there seems to be a ‘win at all cost’ mentality. Sexual abuse Any conduct of a sexual nature, either contact (penetrative or non-penetrative) or non-contact, where consent is not given or cannot be given or is coerced or manipulated. This can involve individuals looking at or making sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging others to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a person in preparation for abuse. Grooming The process whereby an individual builds a relationship with a child, encouraging them to trust them so that the groomer can manipulate and exploit them for their own advantage. This is often accompanied by unofficial communications via social media and instant messaging. Grooming an athlete’s family, entourage, and friends often leads those individuals to believe that the groomer is dependable and trustworthy, enabling the groomer to have access to the athlete. Grooming can take place online as well as in person.     Sexual harassment Any unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal or physical. Examples include unwanted or degrading intimate questions relating to body, clothes or one’s private life, jokes with sexual innuendo and proposals or demands for non-consensual sexual acts. Exploitation When someone exercises control over another person and/or their assets for their own “personal gain” and without the fully informed consent of the person. Personal gain may be psychological, reputational or commercial and constitutes exploitation when the rights of a person are sold or negotiated without express and fully informed consent of the other person. Neglect The failure to provide a minimum level of care, either physical or emotional, allows harm to be caused or creates an imminent danger of harm. Physically, this can include the failure to provide adequate water in high temperatures, adequate clothing in cold temperatures or failing to provide suitable food, accommodation or safe travel arrangements. Emotionally, it can include ignoring an athlete or disregarding their needs, etc. Favouritism With favouritism, there is the added danger that the athlete is being groomed in order to create the belief that the abuser is trustworthy and poses no threat. This then lowers the athlete’s guard (and possibly that of their parents, too). From this vulnerable position, abuse becomes more likely. Exclusion Intentional exclusion can seriously damage an athlete’s morale and confidence, especially when accompanied by the feeling that they will never be good enough to win that person's attention. These feelings can be multiplied when the athlete can see others receiving attention, praise, and support. This type of treatment can be psychologically damaging and is unacceptable. Some of the not-so-obvious behaviours that can amount to safeguarding issues: Unofficial offers of 1-1 training, sports massage, physio treatment, etc. Comments about appearance or weight, i.e. body shaming. Offers to provide transport to under 18s. This is by no means a complete list of all behaviours that constitute safeguarding/welfare issues. For more detailed accounts, we recommend visiting your own sport’s governing body website, where, hopefully, you will find a sport-specific policy. Warning Signs Differences in mood and behaviours. Disturbed sleep, nightmares. Changes to eating habits. A reluctance to go to training. Sudden loss of enjoyment in their sport. Remember, these could also be signs of something other than a safeguarding issue, e.g. school bullying, friendship issues, etc.     How You Can Help If you notice that something in your athlete’s sport is making them unhappy, it is crucial to find out what it is. Many safeguarding issues can appear borderline, but any behaviour that causes harm or distress should be at least questioned. It can sometimes be difficult to know what is and is not acceptable behaviour, but always follow your gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel or look right, again, question it. As a parent, you entrust your child’s wellbeing and safety to the adults who hold positions of responsibility, e.g. a coach, especially when they are away from home. It is important to note that safeguarding and welfare issues can affect both school-aged athletes and (as in our case) university-aged student-athletes. If your athlete is willing to talk, have conversations about their concerns. If a safeguarding issue has occurred and talking this through with you is not an option, we highly recommend they seek professional therapy to reduce the likelihood of long-term psychological problems.    Take Home Points Safeguarding issues don’t always present as obvious abuse. Look out for differences in mood and behaviours, disturbed sleep, and changes to eating habits. A reluctance to go to training or a sudden loss of enjoyment in their sport can be an indication that something is not right. If something within your athlete’s sport is causing them to be unhappy, it’s essential you find out what it is. If something doesn’t feel or look right, question it.   Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context. The vast majority of coaches and support staff are genuine, lovely people who often give their time and expertise free of charge… and only want the very best for young athletes. Without them, there would be no sport, and we are truly indebted to them :) If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...

  Note: In this module, we have included videos in which we talk with Cheryl Higgins, mum to Ben, the GB 400m runner mentioned in our safeguarding experience. Abusive adults often use trust to create opportunity, and an athlete’s naivety can leave them vulnerable to this. Many are not aware they are being abused. It can be very difficult for athletes and parents alike to know whether what is being said or done constitutes grooming. There can be a very fine line between genuine kindness and this intentional, manipulative form of abuse. But whilst it is sad to have to question others’ motives, being aware of the signs that a line has been crossed is a sensible move that can save a lot of heartaches further down the line.  Definition of ‘grooming’ Below is the World Athletics definition of grooming: ”Grooming is the process whereby an individual builds a relationship with a child, encouraging them to trust them so that the groomer can manipulate and exploit them for their own advantage. Grooming an athlete’s family, entourage, and friends often leads those individuals to believe that the groomer is dependable and trustworthy, enabling the groomer to have access to the athlete. By manipulating the athlete and exploiting the relationship, they will make the athlete believe they have to comply with the groomer’s demands. The power a groomer has over the child is used to isolate them from friends and family who might otherwise warn or caution them from complying with the groomer’s demands. Grooming can take place online as well as in person; online grooming is often much quicker often due to the groomer pretending to be younger and sometimes a different gender than they are in reality. Groomers may provide advice to a child as well as offering gifts or attention.”   What You Can Do Be aware that young athletes can be naive and impressionable and, as such, are vulnerable prey to, for example, an abusive coach. Be aware, too, that an abuser will often use trust and friendship to deceive their victim, e.g. grooming. The repeated emphasis on the athlete’s potential and signs of favouritism within a training group are two potential red flags to look out for. Look out for attempts to cement a friendship with the athlete outside of the sporting environment, e.g. communications via social media/instant messaging, and for signs of grooming where, for example, a coach creates scenarios designed to encourage trust and dependency. For young athletes especially, avoid scaremongering tactics… the last thing you want is for them to grow up unable to trust anyone… Subtle conversations can be used to establish whether anything untoward is going on, alongside listening out for concerning comments in general conversations.   Note: Be aware that grooming tactics can extend to parents and family members, too. When trusted by the athlete’s support network, it can be easier for an abusive coach’s behaviours can go unnoticed. Take Home Points Grooming is a serious safeguarding issue that can have long-lasting psychological, emotional, and physical impacts on athletes. It is crucial for parents to be vigilant and to question motives, especially when levels of attention, kindness, and communication become more than shown to others. When a young athlete is made to feel special, it can be a wonderful feeling (for both athlete and parents)…  this is precisely what abusers are hoping for and how manipulation becomes possible. Be careful, question motives, report concerns, and don’t get sucked in…     Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context. The vast majority of coaches and support staff are genuine, lovely people who often give their time and expertise free of charge… and only want the very best for young athletes. Without them, there would be no sport, and we are truly indebted to them :) If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...

  Note: In this module, we have included videos in which we talk with Cheryl Higgins, mum to Ben, the GB 400m runner mentioned in our safeguarding experience. Speaking out about safeguarding and welfare issues involving young athletes can be challenging, and various scenarios can put both athletes and parents in a difficult position. Weighing up what’s at stake by raising a concern should not, in an ideal world, be part of the equation. However, this isn’t an ideal world, and some factors DO cause athletes and parents to think twice about speaking out. Not knowing whether your concern is a legitimate safeguarding or welfare issue that should be reported, or at least questioned, can be, in our opinion, the most problematic. How do parents (and athletes) find out this information? Who should they talk to about their concerns?     Why Speaking Out Can Be Hard There are many reasons why concerns remain unreported. Here are just a few: Risk of losing friends: If the athlete is otherwise happy in their training group, you may feel you’ll risk them losing those friendships and that set-up. Feeling indebted: If a coach is an unpaid volunteer, you may feel indebted to them, making it difficult to raise concerns. Lost opportunities: If the training group is a high-level one, you may feel you’ll risk your athlete losing out on important opportunities. Fear of retaliation: Those who speak out may fear reprisals, such as negative consequences from coaches, organisations, or peers. They may worry about being ostracised or facing retaliation that could impact their athletic career or personal relationships. Lack of awareness or understanding: Knowing whether behaviours or situations constitute a safeguarding concern can cause doubt. Parents of young athletes especially should educate themselves about the signs of abuse, grooming tactics, or their athlete’s rights. If in doubt, question it. Power dynamics and influence: Coaches, trainers, or officials often hold positions of authority and influence over young athletes. This power dynamic can create a sense of dependency, making it challenging for athletes to come forward and report concerns about those in positions of authority Stigma and shame: Victims of abuse or harassment may experience feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame. The stigma associated with being a survivor of abuse can deter individuals from speaking out, fearing judgment or disbelief from others. Limited support systems: Young athletes can feel there are no individuals they trust to disclose safeguarding concerns. They might not have access to appropriate reporting channels or be unaware of the procedures to address such issues. Cultural or societal norms: Cultural or societal beliefs and norms can influence attitudes towards reporting safeguarding concerns. In some cases, there may be a reluctance to acknowledge or address these issues openly, leading to silence and continued abuse. Reporting Concerns When reporting an issue (or an initial concern), the first point of contact will typically be your club’s Welfare Officer. Every club has one, and their contact details should be available on your club’s website. Alternatively, if you would prefer to bypass the club, there will be, again hopefully, an Online Safeguarding Concern Form available on your Governing body’s website, which the Safeguarding Team will process. Our Views... This information shouldn't have to be searched for but should be prominently displayed in a highly visible position. e.g., club rooms, training areas, changing rooms, etc. These guidelines should: Clearly explain what behaviours are and are not acceptable, removing the ‘grey areas’ that result in uncertainty and a reluctance to report concerns. Provide a signpost for further information, e.g., the club or National Governing Body's safeguarding and welfare website page. State clearly how and where concerns should be reported and where questions can be asked, e.g., the club's welfare officer's contact details.  Crucially, this would allow everyone to know where they stand, whether they are an athlete, parents, coaches, support staff, or simply members of the general public. Take Home Points Don’t ever be too scared to raise concerns and question anything that doesn’t look/feel right. These athletes are your children. Be brave enough to question and/or confront. Don’t ever feel you can’t speak out. Look out for the warning signs that suggest things aren’t right. Always listen to your athlete and take their concerns seriously. Beware of the trust trap... and grooming. Follow your gut feeling. Trust your instinct. A parent’s instinct is usually right.   Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context. The vast majority of coaches and support staff are genuine, lovely people who often give their time and expertise free of charge… and only want the very best for young athletes. Without them, there would be no sport, and we are truly indebted to them :) Go to our Resources page for links to helpful information. If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...

  Note: In this module, we have included videos in which we talk with Cheryl Higgins, mum to Ben, the GB 400m runner mentioned in our safeguarding story. Following a safeguarding issue, athletes will cope in different ways, and a lot will depend on the type of abuse they were subjected to. It's important to understand that this will be an extremely challenging time for them. They may try to put on a brave face and downplay their struggles, often out of embarrassment. But deep down, they are likely to be struggling to come to terms with what has happened. Parents will need to monitor their wellbeing and be vigilant for warning signs that they are struggling to cope with the aftermath. Rebuilding Trust One of the most common impacts relates to trust. Their own ability to trust will have been shattered if their abuser was an adult whom they had previously looked up to and respected or was in a position of responsibility. If not addressed successfully, this can go on to affect friendships, relationships, and their ability to trust people, in general, going forward. Reaching Out It is absolutely essential they feel they can reach out to a trusted person who can provide support and guidance to help them navigate the situation. Surrounding themselves with a support network of people who have their best interests at heart will be immensely helpful. Make sure they know that you are there to support them. Encourage them to talk about their feelings, but be aware that some may not want to. If your attempts to discuss the matter cause additional anxiety, distress, or even anger, it may be more helpful for them to speak with a professional therapist. Professional Help Many will benefit from professional help in the form of counselling, and parents are advised to always view this option as part of their athlete’s recovery. In an ideal world, athletes should always be offered professional help. It is highly likely they will have found it too challenging to divulge the full details of their abuse to their parents, meaning parents might not be fully aware of the true extent of the harm done. Speaking out more freely about their abuse may be easier, or only possible, with someone they view as totally independent, like a counsellor. What to Expect After a safeguarding or welfare issue, athletes can experience a range of emotions. Some may feel angry, while others may isolate themselves. Trust issues are also likely to arise. It is widely acknowledged that channelling anger into their sport can be an effective emotional outlet for athletes. Not only can it help with their healing process, but if they achieve wins or personal bests, it can become a powerful motivator. The Effects on Others When a safeguarding or welfare issue involves a coach, it can have a profound and far-reaching impact on the entire training group, affecting each member differently and to varying degrees. In these instances, training partners can be an invaluable source of support and camaraderie to each other. Knowing they will all be dealing with similar feelings and emotions provides a common bond and the knowledge that others understand what they're going through. As parents, you, too, have every right to feel angry, upset, and betrayed. If the issue relates to their coach, you will have put your trust in this person to do what's in your child's best interest. It will be common to feel guilty that you should have noticed what was going on and spoken out. Don't be hard on yourself. Most abuse is very well-hidden and often disguised as support. Parents are also often put in an impossible no-win situation, weighing up the risks of the potential fallout from speaking out versus 'wrongly'* calling out innocent and acceptable behaviour. *In our opinion, there is no such thing as a wrongly reported concern. A concern is just that, a concern. Any reputable and trustworthy coach should be more than happy to put your mind at rest and assure you that all is okay and above board... without taking offence.    Take Home Points  Athletes deal with the effects of safeguarding issues in different ways. It's crucial for you to demonstrate you believe their account and are there for them. They may not feel comfortable divulging details and exposing feelings and emotions in front of you. This is common. In these situations, seeking professional help will always be a good option. For some, channelling emotions and frustrations into their sport can be an extremely powerful coping strategy, especially if their prominent emotion is anger.     Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context. The vast majority of coaches and support staff are genuine, lovely people who often give their time and expertise free of charge… and only want the very best for young athletes. Without them, there would be no sport, and we are truly indebted to them :) If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...

Below, we have attached some useful safeguarding and welfare resources: Sport England: Safeguarding Guidance - Applicable across all sports.   Kyniska Advocacy is an athlete-led, safe sports organisation for women in sports, established through lived experience. Kyniska offers confidential support and advice via phone, text, or email. Note: We have included some other helpful PDFs at the bottom of this page, which, although published by UK Athletics, offer across-the-board information that will be relevant to other sports.   For Athletics: If you need to report or question a behaviour but would prefer to bypass your club, you can complete the Online Safeguarding Concern Form available on your Home Country governing body website, which the UKA Safeguarding Team will process. Alternatively, email: Safeguarding@uka.org.uk. If you've found this information helpful, we've created The Athlete Place, our athlete-specific platform designed to inform, motivate and inspire your athlete...