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Progress in child protection work for British sports since 1985 has been mixed but took a major step forward after the conviction for rape of former Olympic swimming coach Paul Hickson in 1995. Whilst this hugely negative event caused shock and near panic in some quarters it also had major positive consequences. It is gratifying to note that there is now a national debate about the issue, with policy development and grass roots dissemination of good practice a feature of many sport organisations.
This Position Statement was considered by the author as needed for the UK and home country Sports councils to become better informed on the subject of sexual harassment abuse and, therefore, better equipped to argue for resources to be devoted to effective child protection in sport.
Footnote:
Professor Celia Brackenridge is considered a leader in the field of Child protection and sport in the UK and Europe: Her book Brackenridge C H. (2001). Spoilsports: understanding and preventing sexual exploitation in sport. London: Routledge is an informative review of the subject particularly from a feminist perspective.
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