NSPCC urging people across the North East to know the signs of child abuse in sports
They are calling on sports clubs and parents to support NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign after almost 50% rise in Helpline contacts
A children's safety charity in the North East is urging people to be aware of the signs of child abuse in sports.
It is after they had an almost 50% rise in Helpline contacts.
Last year the NSPCC Helpline received 623 contacts from adults across the UK with concerns about a child’s welfare in a sports setting, a 47% increase on the previous year.
The NSPCC say it could be due to raised awareness of abuse in sports due to recent high profile cases - but the most common concerns were about sexual abuse or exploitation, emotional abuse and physical abuse.
The helpline also handled 135 contacts from sports professionals, including coaches, club staff, and volunteers – over three times the number received the previous year.
Helen Westerman, NSPCC Campaigns Manager for the North East, said: "One of the scenarios is about being a parent and you're going along to watch your child play football. But you're concerned about another players parents behaviour, shouting, swearing and and lots of parents say that they go along and support their children, but sometimes it's other parents, not particularly the coaches, that cause them concern.
"We know that sports are really high pressured and children are put under a lot of pressure and that might include from their own parents. But that needs to be balanced with the child's well-being and safety. That's something that we all need to bear in mind.
"We all do the best for our children. We all want them to succeed, but that can't come at a cost of physical or mental abuse."