Published September 1998.

The National Association of Youth Football Leagues is committed to creating and preserving the safest possible environment for children to play football. It is the duty of all League Management's, Referees, Club Officials, Team Managers and any other individuals directly, or indirectly involved with members clubs or teams playing in a League or Association to be aware of and help prevent the abuse which children can suffer, be it neglect, physical, verbal, sexual or emotional. The National Association of Youth Football Leagues accepts children's welfare is paramount, and all children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender or religious belief, have the right to protection from abuse.

FORMS OF ABUSE.

Sexual. Boys and girls can be sexually abused.

Abuse can include:- full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, fondling. As well as showing children pornographic books or videos, or taking pornographic photographs or videos.

Physical. Injuries to children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning. In football situations, as with all sports, physical abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child's body.

Neglect. Where an adult fails to meet a child's basic physical needs, i.e. food, warmth and clothing.

Constantly leaving children alone and unsupervised. Failing, or refusing to give children love, affection and attention.

Neglect in a football situation might occur if a coach fails to ensure children are safe, or exposes them to extreme weather conditions or risk of injury.

Emotional. Persist lack of love or affection. Children being shouted at or taunted.

Emotional abuse in football may include situations where parents or coaches subject children to unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations or constant criticism and bullying.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

Sexual. Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in the genital area. Stomach pains. Discomfort when walking. Unexplained sources of money. Inappropriate drawings, language or behaviour. Aggressiveness, withdrawal symptoms or fear of a particular person.

Physical. Unexplained or untreated injuries. Injuries on unlikely parts of the body. Cigarette burns, bite or belt marks, scalds. Fear of parents being contacted, going home or receiving medical advice. Flinching when touched. Refusal to discuss injury. Covering arms and legs.

Neglect. Poor personal hygiene. Constantly hungry. Inappropriate clothing or dress. Constantly tired. Lonely, no friends. Underweight. No parental support or interest.. Dishevelled appearance. Emotional. Over reaction to mistakes. Sudden speech disorders. Extremes of emotions. Self mutilation.

There may not be any signs; you may just feel that something is wrong. If you are worried, it is not your responsibility to decide if it is abuse but IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILTY TO ACT ON YOUR CONCERNS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD DISCLOSES ABUSE

Understand that this may be the only time the child has built up courage to tell someone what has happened.
Stop what you are doing and respect the child's privacy.
Stay calm and reassuring.
Listen to what they tell you, tell them that whatever the circumstances they are not to blame.
Do not react in a way that may add to the child's distress, i.e. anger or shock.
Explain that you cannot promise to keep what the child tells you a secret, you may have to tell someone else.
Do not question the child in depth; do not ask leading questions that need a "Yes" or "No" answer.
Only ask questions to establish exactly what was done and who did it.
Tell the child that you are pleased they decided to tell someone and that they are absolutely right to do so.
Let the child know that you understand how difficult it is to talk about such experiences.
Inform the Team Manager (unless implicated).
Contact the National Association of Youth Leagues Child Protection Officer, Mr Paul Tompkins on 0117-9323599 without delay.
Do not contact parents until you have received advice.
Make an accurate record of the time and date, and exactly what was said.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS treat players and children with respect and dignity befitting their age; watch your language, tone of voice and where you put your body.

YOU SHOULD NEVER engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games or horseplay. Allow , or engage in, inappropriate or intrusive touching of any kind. Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged. Make sexually suggestive comments to a child; even in fun. Let allegations a child makes go unchallenged or unrecorded, always act. Invade the privacy of children when they are changing, showering or going to the toilet.

YOU SHOULD AVOID doing things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves, i.e. help with changing. Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others. Taking children to your home.

Where any of these situations are unavoidable, first seek parental consent where possible. If unable to speak to the parents, always inform them of the circumstances as soon as practicable.

DUNOON YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE