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Recognition of Abuse
What is abuse?
Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and represents an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a child regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.
Coaches, volunteers and officials are not experts in recognising abuse. Therefore, any suspicions or concerns should be discussed with the person in charge. This may be the head coach, the club official, the head teacher or the sports centre manager.
It is the responsibility of these people to obtain appropriate advice from the local social services department, the NSPCC or the police. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, then the person in receipt of the information should contact the social services direct.
Indications that a child may be abused include the following:
- · Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries.
- · An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent.
- The child describes what appears to be an abusive act.
- · Someone expresses concern about the welfare of the child.
- · Unexplained changes in behaviour (e.g. becoming quiet, withdraw or sudden outbursts of temper).
- · Inappropriate sexual awareness.
- · Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
- · Distrust of adults particularly those with whom a close relationship would be expected.
- · Difficulty making friends.
- · Is prevented from socialising with other children.
- · Displays variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.
- · Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- · Becomes increasingly dirty or unkempt.
This list is not exhaustive and the presence of one or more of these factors is not proof that abuse is taking place.
Remember that:
- · It is not the responsibility of coaches, staff or volunteers to decide that abuse is taking place, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
The Main Forms of Abuse
There are four main forms of abuse:
- · Neglect
Where adults fail to meet a child's basic needs such as warm clothing or food, fail or refuse to give children love, affection and attention. Children may also be consistently left alone or unsupervised. Neglect in a sports situation could include a teacher of coach not ensuring that children are safe, exposing them to undue cold or to unnecessary risk of injury.
Physical Abuse
Where adults physically hurt or injure children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning or biting, or by giving children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison. Attempted suffocation or drowning also comes within this category. In sports situations, physical abuse may occur when the nature and the intensity of training exceed the capacity of the child's immature and growing body.
Sexual Abuse
Girls and boys are abused by adults - both males and females- who use children to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing children pornographic material (books, videos, pictures) is also a form os sexual abuse. Sports that involve physical contact with children could possibly create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. The power of the coach over the very young performers, if misused, may also lead to abusive situations developing.
Emotional Abuse
Persistent lack of love and affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted, which may make the child very nervous or withdraw. Emotional abuse may also occur when there is constant over protection (which prevents the child from socialising), or there is neglect, physical or sexual abuse. Emotional abuse in sport may occur if children are subjected to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations consistently.
THE EFFECTS OF ABUSE
Abuse in all its forms can affect a child at any age. The effects can be so damaging that, if untreated, may follow an individual into adulthood. For example, an adult who has been abused as a child may find it difficult or impossible to maintain a stable trusting relationship, become involved with drugs or prostitution, attempt suicide or even abuse a child in the future.
There have been a number of studies which suggest that children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves, or adequately communicate that abuse has occurred. Children from ethnic minorities, who may also be experiencing racial discrimination, may be double powerless.