The main forms of abuse
Abuse is a powerful and emotional term. Child abuse is a term used to describe ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. The coach often holds this trust and may be at risk of misusing his/her power over the young players. It is widely recognised that there are four main areas of abuse of which coaches, officials and volunteers should be aware.

Abuse is a powerful and emotional term. Child abuse is a term used to describe ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. The coach often holds this trust and may be at risk of misusing his/her power over the young players. It is widely recognised that there are four main areas of abuse of which coaches, officials and volunteers should be aware. There may, however, be an increased risk within many sports, including rugby league, for abuse to occur which does not necessarily fit into these categories. The unique culture and traditions of rugby league, along side so-called stereotypical behaviour, whilst common to many team sports, may give rise to unacceptable behaviour leading to situations where abuse may occur or coaches and/or young players are at increased risk.

THE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF ABUSE ARE:

EMOTIONAL ABUSE
In general terms, emotional abuse occurs when adults persistently fail to show children due care, love or affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted, or be subject to sarcasm and unrealistic pressures. There may also be over-protection, preventing children from socialising, or bullying to perform high expectations. The child may lose self-confidence and may become withdrawn and nervous.

In a coaching situation, emotional abuse may occur when coaches
Provide repeated negative feedback repeatedly ignore a young player’s efforts to progress repeatedly demand performance levels above those of which the young player is capable over emphasise the winning ethic.

NEGLECT
In general terms, neglect as a form of abuse occurs when a childs essential needs for food, warmth and care fail to be met. Failing to or refusing to provide love and affection could also be deemed as neglect.
In a coaching situation, neglect may occur when young players are left alone without proper supervision a young player is exposed to unnecessary heat or cold without fluids or protection a young player is exposed to an unacceptable risk of injury.

PHYSICAL ABUSE
In general terms, this occurs when adults, or even children, deliberately inflict injury on a child, or knowingly do not prevent such injuries. It includes injuries caused by hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or using excessive force. It also occurs when an adult gives children alcohol, or inappropriate drugs, or fails to supervise their access to these substances.

In a coaching situation, physical abuse may occur when
Coaches expose young players to exercise/training, which disregards the capacity of the players immature and growing body Coaches expose young players to injury due to overplaying, over training or fatigue coaches expose young players to alcohol, or give them the opportunity to drink alcohol below the drinking age coaches expose young players to performance enhancing drugs and recommend that they take them.

SEXUAL ABUSE
In general terms, girls and boys are abused by adults, both male and female, who use children to meet their own sexual needs. Examples include forcing a child to take part in sexual activity such as sexual intercourse, oral intercourse, masturbation, or oral sex or showing children pornographic material or making Suggestions that sexual favours can help (or refusal hinder) a sporting career.

Abuse taking place within the rugby environment
This would include anyone working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity. For example, volunteer coaches in clubs, club helpers, tutors on training camps and coaches.

This would include anyone working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity. For example, volunteer coaches in clubs, club helpers, tutors on training camps and coaches.

Child abuse can and does occur outside the family setting. Although it is a sensitive and difficult issue, child abuse has occurred within institutions and within other settings, for example, sport or other social activities. Recent research indicates that abuse, which takes place within a public setting, is rarely a one-off event. It is crucial that those involved in sport are aware of this possibility and that all allegations are taken seriously and appropriate action pursued.

The person in charge may be informed of situations where the reporter is unsure about whether the allegation constitutes abuse or not, and is therefore unclear about what action to take. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice rather than abuse but those responsible should always consult with professional organisations, and seek advice from social services, or the NSPCC where there is any doubt. This is because it may be just one of a series of other instances which taken together cause concern. It is acknowledged that feelings generated by the discovery that a member of staff or volunteer is, or maybe, abusing a child, will raise concerns among other staff or volunteers, including the difficulties inherit in reporting such matters. However, it is important that any concerns for the welfare of the child arising from abuse or harassment by a member of staff or volunteer should be reported immediately.

The committee of Hensingham A.R.L.F.C want to assure all staff, coaches and volunteers that they will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concerns that a colleague is or may be abusing a child.

Allegations of abuse against reresentatives, coaches, and other volunteers
Where there is a compliant of abuse against any representatives, coaches or volunteer, there may be any one of the types of investigation:

Where there is a compliant of abuse against any representatives, coaches or volunteer, there may be any one of the types of investigation:

A disciplinary or misconduct investigation
A child protection investigation
A criminal investigation

The results of the Police and social services investigation may well influence the disciplinary investigation Hensingham A.R.L.F.C. recognises that young players are coached in a variety of environments and by any number of coaches. Thus the term “person in charge” will refer to the senior/head coach or club official responsible for the event.

If, following consideration the allegation is clearly about poor practice then the “person in charge” will deal with it as an internal club issue.
If the allegation is about poor practice by the “person in charge”, or where the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, then this should be referred to a member of the executive committee. Then this will be decided how this will be dealt with and whether or not to initiate a formal course of action.

Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of the Wigan St Judes structure must be reported to a person in charge who will take such steps as he or she considers necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk. The “person in charge” will, after consultation with the professional body, refer the allegations to social services department who may involve the police. The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following

THE ADVICE FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

The “person in charge” should also notify the child protection officer within the club, and between them decide who should deal with any media enquires. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned.

If the “person in charge” is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the professional staff at BARLA who will then be responsible for taking any action outlined above.
The BARLA representative of the child protection will then decide as whether to suspend the accused of child abuse pending further police or social services inquires.

RESPONDING TO SUSPICIONS

It is understandable that people who are well-motivated, loving and caring individuals, with a deep commitment to their sport are reluctant to believe that children may be suffering harm in the sporting environment or at home.

It may be difficult to accept that children could be at risk because of the way the organisation is being run and the attitudes of those involved.

Levels of awareness need not be raised without creating an atmosphere of anxiety or suspicion. However a basic principle should be that if you become aware of anything which causes you to feel uncomfortable you should talk to someone else about it. This means being aware of the attitudes of all members of our structure and of the interaction between them and the children and with each other. You should be alert to any unusual incidents or activities which take place where you feel that members of our structure are putting them selves in a vulnerable position.